Thinking about better training page linking

Ways to have expert and novice info at same time

[JayCee]

Hi All,
Brainstorming with myself about better ways to use HTML + CSS to present non-trivial information (how-to-do-it sort of info) in a way that is very simple and clean by default, yet can be "drilled down" into for complete detail.

The idea is that those who already understand some part of the topic don't need all the confusing detail and the novice does need it, but will be confused and disheartened, if they see it all at once.

HTML supports hyperlinks, image maps and link "titles" or "tooltips", but is there a better way to use these for training purposes than the typical web site layout, yet avoid the formal structures of Web-Based Training?

Example:
A complex "do-it-yourself" project, presented as a web site, or converted to an eBook.
Suppose the actual training part of this used a single graphic flow chart approach, with each task as a visual flow chart item.

Those who immediately understand the chart use it as is. Those who undertand most of it click on the images they don't get and a page with more detail pops up. If that is not enough, they use a link on the popup that leads to even more detail or references.

If someone needs a term defined, they hover over the word until a tool-tip definition appears.

You get the idea.

Some criteria i'm thinking on are:
1. Any image, word or phrase needs 2 or 3 different ways to "drill-down" to access more info, like click for a link, hover for a definition or right click for a picture.

2. The method has to be a lot less confusing than describing everything in static text, or than the typical web site - where it is not possible to see the "overview" (i.e. the flow chart) of the training all the time. All the hyperlinking must not confuse the user nor remove them from the overview.

Other thoughts:
Microsoft did some work with expanding and shrinking paragraphs (there was/is a method in FrontPage).

Maybe parallel CSS columns could be used? A left narrow column for the summary of steps, with a much wider column to the right for the details and pop-ups or other links for more detail in the right column?

In a way, i'm looking to combine Web-Based Training (WBT) with an eBook, but in a less structured way. That is, without a rigid "intro/explain/drill/summarize/test/next topic" sort of mechanical WBT approach.

Thoughts?
Resources?

Thanks for your time :)