This Tutorial for MapInfo attempted to give the reader some of the advantages of hypertext within the limits of the printed page. Its format enables likely questions to be answered immediately, in the parallel third column, without interfering with the main flow of the tutorial. Readers with more interest, curiosity, or questions can get some satisfaction or resolution right away. Those who just want to "get on with it" can simply press on, reading the center column only.

It was controversial, to say the least.

Its 3-column presentation keeps the main flow of tutorial procedure boxed
in the center column. It uses the left column for organizational and
structural information and the right column for commentary, references,
and answers to common ancillary questions.

It was praised by some Senior VPs as the most innovative tutorial they
had ever seen in a book, creating the near-equivalent of hyperlinks on a
printed page.

Other VPs damned it as radical, busy, and confusing.

I still like it, even though, years later, I see things I'd do a few things differently today.