Penetration uses the Connection System, which brings advanced hypertext features to Web stories and poems. You must have a JavaScript-enabled browser to read the poem, since the system is based on JavaScript. The poem has been tested successfully with Netscape Navigator 4 (Windows and Mac) and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 for Windows. It doesn't work with Internet Explorer 3.

The poem uses cookies to store data needed by the program code. Your browser must be configured to accept cookies, and you should also disable the warning that prompts you to accept each cookie. (This can be done in Netscape Navigator through the Preferences/Advanced menu.)

Clicking the Begin Poem link below or on the title page will open a new browser window and begin the poem. The window will lack the usual browser menus and toolbars, which can't be used in this hypertext because of its dynamic nature. Using the browser's backtracking features would cause text to display incorrectly. To exit the poem, close the window displaying it. You can then return to this opening window.

Penetration contains links and text elements that are displayed conditionally or randomly. Individual lines within nodes often change to reflect the context in which the node is read. Links are often displayed conditionally to make sure that unread material is always available.

Please report any problems (such as JavaScript error messages) to Robert Kendall. Comments are also welcome.