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From: chuq@plaid.Sun.COM (Chuq Von Rospach)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hypercard
Subject: Re: What is this 'hypercard' thing anyway?
Message-ID: <35045@sun.uucp>
Date: Mon, 30-Nov-87 13:28:18 EST
Article-I.D.: sun.35045
Posted: Mon Nov 30 13:28:18 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 3-Dec-87 06:03:39 EST
References: <3834@bellcore.bellcore.com>
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Reply-To: chuq@sun.UUCP (Chuq Von Rospach)
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Organization: Fictional Reality, uLtd
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>Ladies and Gentlemen, could you please tell me something.  Just
>what is the big deal about hypercard?

This may sound silly, but if you don't understand the big deal about
hypercard, I suggest you go off and re-implement it.

>Is there a new programming language/environment that is inherent
>in hypercard?  Or is it merely some sort of graphical menu manager?

A new and complete programming language. You won't understand the wonders
of hypercard until you start playing with hypertalk

>What exactly is a "stack"?  It appears to be a bunch of similar
>records in a file.  Is this correct?  And why is it innovative to
>have them?

Actually, it's a bunch of records in a file. They don't need to be similar
-- you can put a number of different backgrounds in the same stack and link
them together.

>Is it true Apple is giving the thing away?  Can I get a copy for
>myself easily?  How?

You get it free if you buy a Mac. you get it for $49 if you already own one.

>Is it easy to add stacks, functions, etc. to the hypercard screen,
>or do you have to be a programmer to do this?

It depends on how complicated you want to get. It can be as easy as point
and click, or as complicated as writing your own assembly language XFCN.

>Are there subprograms/stacks being distributed in some sort of
>public domain way, like fonts and desk-accessories seem to be,
>ie. all development is "for the public good" or are they being
>sold as add-ons and you only buy the ones you need?

Yes. Both routes are being used. Most stackware I've seen is PD or
shareware, but some commercial code is due out as well. I expect that six
months from now there will be LOTS of it from all sides.

>Can you run standard applications as hypercard applications (ie.
>from within hypercard via buttons or whatever)?

yes. There are a number of different 'finder' replacements from Hypercard.
Multi-finder process spawning via an XFCN is around here somewhere, too.

>What is this leading toward?  Is the aim to create one big huge
>integrated environment which will ultimately supplant the current
>finder/system environment?

Maybe. Maybe not. Hypercard may well supplant many traditional applications,
and depending on what you want may turn into your startup application. I
don't see any reason (or plan) to force that on folks. 

>I'd appreciate answers to these questions and whatever general
>information you care to add.  I'm trying to understand what's been
>going on with the Mac recently and hypercard in particular (esp. since
>Apple is calling it a very important "strategic" product).

There's lots of controversy over the 'system software' and 'strategic
software' labels. I think it comes down to something very simple. The Mac
was the first Apple that didn't have an easy way for someone to diddle with
the computer. Apple ][ had Applesoft. The Mac had MacPaint. Macpaint is
neat, but you aren't playing with the computer. Hypercard gives you that
capability -- to just sit and explore the computer. To start off at a very
simple, reasonably non-technical level and putter.

Until now, you couldn't putter on your Mac. you had to sit down and be a
programmer. That's changed, and I think it's the most important addition to
the Mac family since day one. Because now lots of us (and I put myself in
that category very firmly) who have always wanted to build a 'something' on
the Mac can. We no longer have to worry about learning enough programming to
handle all the grotty details the Mac Interface requires of us. We can
putter, and become as much of a programmer as we need to finish our
something. Before, you could spend days getting the environment started
before even being able to start the 'something' part -- which for folks
without a lot of time or patience is deadly. With Hypercard, that all
changes. you just sit down and put the pieces together. And thn start looking
at ways of making it better. 

Most folks with computers aren't hardcore hackers. They want to use it for a
few serious tasks and work on some fun projects in the background. Hypercard
opens up the ability to putter to a large number of folks who are unwilling
or unable to take the time to learn enough about programming the Mac to make
it happen. Hypercard IS Applesoft for the Mac, written to take advantage of
the strengths of the Mac as Applesoft did for the ][. 

The next year should be fascinating.

chuq

---
Chuq "Fixed in 4.0" Von Rospach			chuq@sun.COM	Delphi: CHUQ