This paper introduces glBIS, a hypertext system designed to support exploratory policy discussions. It implements the Issue Based Information Systems (IBIS) method, which is used for complex design problems. glBIS uses color and a high-speed relational database to build and browse IBIS networks, and supports collaborative construction by multiple users on a local network. Early experiments suggest that the IBIS method is still incomplete, but the tool and method match well. The IBIS method is based on the idea that the design process for complex problems is a conversation among stakeholders. Each issue can have multiple positions, which are statements or assertions that resolve the issue. Positions may have arguments that support or object to them. There are nine types of links in IBIS, including Responds-to, Supports, Objects-to, Generalize, Specialize, Question, and Be-suggested. glBIS is designed to support the capture of design rationale, which includes design problems, alternative resolutions, trade-off analysis, and commitments made during discussions. The system allows users to create, edit, and delete nodes and links, and supports navigation through the network. It also allows users to create and manage issue groups, and to search for nodes based on specific criteria. The system has a graphical browser, a structured index, a control panel, and an inspection window. The browser provides a visual presentation of the IBIS graph structure, while the index provides an ordered hierarchical view of the nodes. The control panel allows users to navigate the network, and the inspection window displays the attributes and contents of nodes and links. glBIS supports multiple concurrent users and provides a reliable, high-performance tool for capturing design rationale. It is built on a relational database management system, which provides concurrency control, record-level locking, and fast access methods. The system also allows users to reference external data and programs, and to integrate them into the IBIS framework. The paper discusses the use of color to indicate node and link types, and the importance of explicit rhetorical structure in the IBIS method. It also discusses the challenges of premature segmentation in hypertext systems, and the need for tools that support unstructured material. The paper concludes that glBIS is a valuable tool for capturing design rationale, and that further research is needed to improve the method and tool.This paper introduces glBIS, a hypertext system designed to support exploratory policy discussions. It implements the Issue Based Information Systems (IBIS) method, which is used for complex design problems. glBIS uses color and a high-speed relational database to build and browse IBIS networks, and supports collaborative construction by multiple users on a local network. Early experiments suggest that the IBIS method is still incomplete, but the tool and method match well. The IBIS method is based on the idea that the design process for complex problems is a conversation among stakeholders. Each issue can have multiple positions, which are statements or assertions that resolve the issue. Positions may have arguments that support or object to them. There are nine types of links in IBIS, including Responds-to, Supports, Objects-to, Generalize, Specialize, Question, and Be-suggested. glBIS is designed to support the capture of design rationale, which includes design problems, alternative resolutions, trade-off analysis, and commitments made during discussions. The system allows users to create, edit, and delete nodes and links, and supports navigation through the network. It also allows users to create and manage issue groups, and to search for nodes based on specific criteria. The system has a graphical browser, a structured index, a control panel, and an inspection window. The browser provides a visual presentation of the IBIS graph structure, while the index provides an ordered hierarchical view of the nodes. The control panel allows users to navigate the network, and the inspection window displays the attributes and contents of nodes and links. glBIS supports multiple concurrent users and provides a reliable, high-performance tool for capturing design rationale. It is built on a relational database management system, which provides concurrency control, record-level locking, and fast access methods. The system also allows users to reference external data and programs, and to integrate them into the IBIS framework. The paper discusses the use of color to indicate node and link types, and the importance of explicit rhetorical structure in the IBIS method. It also discusses the challenges of premature segmentation in hypertext systems, and the need for tools that support unstructured material. The paper concludes that glBIS is a valuable tool for capturing design rationale, and that further research is needed to improve the method and tool.