# A Life Set for Two

> creative work by Robert Kendall

**Wikidata**: [Q132198532](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132198532)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/a-life-set-for-two

## Summary
A Life Set for Two is a work of electronic literature created by author Robert Kendall. Published in 1996, it is recognized as a piece of digital poetry and hypertext fiction. The work was originally distributed on optical disc and functions as a software application built using the Visual Basic programming language.

## Key Facts
- **Title:** A Life Set for Two
- **Author:** Robert Kendall
- **Publication Date:** 1996
- **Genre:** Hypertext fiction, Digital poetry
- **Medium:** Software application, Optical disc
- **Programming Language:** Visual Basic
- **Language:** English
- **Instance of:** Creative work, Application
- **ELMCIP ID:** 3115

## FAQs
### Q: What type of work is A Life Set for Two?
A: It is a work of electronic literature classified as both digital poetry and hypertext fiction. It was created by Robert Kendall and published in 1996.

### Q: What technology was used to create A Life Set for Two?
A: The work was built as a software application using Microsoft's Visual Basic programming language. It was designed for end-users to interact with as a computer program.

### Q: How was A Life Set for Two distributed?
A: The work was distributed via optical disc (CD-ROM) format, which was standard for multimedia software applications in the mid-1990s.

### Q: Is A Life Set for Two associated with any databases?
A: Yes, the work is listed in the ELMCIP (Electronic Literature as a Model of Creativity and Innovation in Practice) Knowledge Base under the ID 3115.

## Why It Matters
A Life Set for Two serves as a significant artifact in the history of early digital literature and electronic publishing. Created in 1996, it represents a period where authors began exploring the potential of software as a medium for poetry and fiction, moving beyond the static page to interactive environments. By utilizing Visual Basic—a programming language generally associated with business applications rather than literary arts—Robert Kendall demonstrated how standard development tools could be repurposed for creative expression.

The work is a notable example of the "stand-alone application" era of electronic literature, which predated the widespread dominance of web-based narratives. Its distribution on optical disc highlights the material constraints and delivery methods of the time, requiring users to install specific software to experience the text. As an entry in the ELMCIP Knowledge Base, it remains a citable reference for scholars studying the evolution of digital poetry and the intersection of creative writing and computer engineering.

## Notable For
- **Early Digital Poetry:** Represents the pioneering wave of digital poetry and hypertext fiction from the 1990s.
- **Software as Literature:** Functions as a distinct software application ("exe") rather than a simple text file or website.
- **Visual Basic Implementation:** Uniquely utilized Microsoft Visual Basic, a legacy programming language, to drive the literary experience.
- **Physical Media Distribution:** Originally required an optical disc for installation and viewing, characteristic of the era's multimedia limitations.
- **Academic Documentation:** Formally cataloged in academic resources such as the ELMCIP Knowledge Base.

## Body
### Creation and Authorship
A Life Set for Two is a creative work authored by Robert Kendall, a notable figure in the field of electronic literature. The work was published in 1996, placing it firmly in the first generation of hypertext fiction and digital poetry. It is written in the English language.

### Technical Specifications
The work is classified technically as an application, defined as a software program designed for end-users. Unlike modern web-based hypertext, A Life Set for Two was built as a standalone piece of software.
- **Programming Language:** The application was written in Visual Basic. Developed by Microsoft (inception 1991), Visual Basic was a prominent programming language used for rapid application development in the 1990s.
- **Format:** The distribution format was optical disc, common for multimedia software in the mid-1990s due to the storage requirements of the program and the limited internet speeds of the time.

### Genre and Classification
The work bridges the gap between software engineering and literary arts. It is categorized under two primary genres:
*   **Hypertext Fiction:** A genre of electronic literature characterized by linking nodes of text, allowing readers to navigate non-linear narratives.
*   **Digital Poetry:** A form of electronic literature that utilizes the unique capabilities of digital media (such as motion, interactivity, and software logic) to create poetic experiences.

The work is indexed in the ELMCIP Knowledge Base with the ID 3115, serving as a verifiable record of its existence and classification within the academic study of electronic literature.