Inform 7 or HTML?

I've been thinking about creating a largely text based simulation of basic techniques and projects of synthetic biology, based on successful iGEM entries and BioBrick components. A sort of interactive fiction with real synthetic biology goodness, suitable for introducing the laymen into the world of synthetic biology and some of the more simplistic projects/lab protocols... Since interactive fictions are based on textual description (for the most part) and the reference materials one would encounter these days when attempting get started on synthetic biology are text based as well, I think it is fully possible for someone to learn the basics of synthetic biology in programmed virtual environment as long as that individual is dedicated enough and the material rich enough.

Since the whole idea was inspired by interactive novels, like the infocom Z machine interpretor, I though it would be prudent to base this project on Inform 7, utilizing their Z machine architecture that's free to use, and runs on practically any known platform in existence. The fact that the whole set of authoring tools and extensions come with the free-to-download Inform 7 doesn't hurt anything either.

However, I'm beginning to question such approach. As some of you might know, I'm working in a laboratory right now, pursuing advanced degrees. I can only do this as a hobby project with bit of free time I can accrue while working on my real job/project etc. Would it be a smart idea to actually learn a whole new language and its principles with my schedule? After all, I'm having quite a time re-learning python and mathematica as it is. And if I'm going to learn a whole new language, wouldn't it be better to learn something I can use outside the limited context of IF writing? Like HTML. It's old, but it's the back bone of the web, and other more advanced formats on the web (like XML) are still based off of the HTML codes and its structures. Not that I'm thinking of going into web design or anything, (though web design certainly has merits as a fulfilling side job for both the artist and the geek in myself, let's be realistic here) it's only that I like to have my options open. 

I wonder what i should do.


P.S. btw, I've begin to learn to use Tumblr, which I think is a cool service for random rants, short movies, and image dumping with theme. Shorter than blogging and longer than twittering.