HyperCard

HyperCard is a slide/card based presentation suite created by Apple Computer.

HyperCard is Apple's premier tool for creating custom software solutions for business, education, and multimedia. Commercial developers, consultants, in-house programmers, and end users can use HyperCard to acquire, manage, and display information anyway they want.

HyperCard organizes information into easy-to-use "stacks" of cards through which users can navigate and search for the information they need. Simply by clicking on a button, they can view related text, see a graphic, hear a sound, watch a QuickTime movie, or listen to text spoken out loud.

Overview

HyperCard software for the Macintosh family of personal computers lets you organize in­formation much the way you do in your mind - by association and context. It lets you explore large amounts of information at exceptional speeds, or quickly zero in on exactly what you need. HyperCard is also the ideal tool for managing and creating infor­mation using virtually any type of media, including video, animation, and sound.

HyperCard uses as a metaphor a nearly universal method for storing information: the index card. Text, graphics, and sounds are stored on cards that appear on the Macintosh screen. A group of these cards is called a "stack." You can make notes, type, or draw on them just as you might on paper index cards. You can sort cards, browse among them, or quickly find specific information by point­ing and clicking on "buttons."

Buttons do specific tasks, such as connecting one card to another. Buttons can also do many other things, such as dialing a phone, printing a report-even launching other applications. You can sim­ply cut and paste the buttons that come with HyperCard and use them in your stacks. There's even a powerful English-like scripting language, HyperTalk, built into HyperCard. HyperTalk lets you write your own scripts to give directions to buttons. Developers can extend HyperTalk to control external devices such as videodisc players, on-line infor­mation services, and CD-ROM drives.

HyperCard is a powerful new medium for creating and exchang­ing information. It is an extension of Macintosh technology that puts new power into the hands of all Macintosh users. With this power, people without special training in programming can create entirely new uses for the Macintosh.

HyperCard 2.2

Release Info

CUPERTINO, California--December 13, 1993--Apple Computer today introduced HyperCard 2.2, a significant new version of its popular software tool that enables users to easily create customized software solutions. Version 2.2 represents dramatic increases in power, functionality and flexibility, extending HyperCard's value to new and existing multimedia title producers, educators, commercial solution providers and in-house developers.

HyperCard 2.2 integrates a key Apple technology, AppleScript, which enables users to automate repetitive tasks by launching, controlling and exchanging data with existing applications. HyperCard 2.2 also includes the ColorTools for seamlessly adding color to stacks; WorldScript support for creating multilingual solutions and a new "save as" option that creates double-clickable applications which can be distributed without royalty fees. In addition, HyperCard 2.2 bundles ADDmotion II from Motion Works International for easy creation and editing of animation.

According to AppleSoft senior vice president and general manager, David Nagel, "When HyperCard was launched in 1988 it delivered power and flexibility that set a new standard for application development. Today, we are extending that power and flexibility with a host of new features, making HyperCard an even more strategic product for the multimedia, education and in-house development markets."

HyperCard is on over eight million Macintoshes worldwide and has been lauded as a key Apple technology by educators and business users worldwide. The latest release of HyperCard extends customers' investments in their data and provides valuable new features that significantly improve end-users' experiences with stacks.

"We are a two-person consulting firm specializing in on-line documentation and multimedia development. HyperCard's amazing power and flexibility have enabled us to create our own custom applications which we can fully integrate and modify as needed. Furthermore, it is the glue that allows us to integrate other applications such as Word, Persuasion and Excel," said Katherine Horton, a HyperCard user at William Horton Consulting in Huntsville, Ala.

AppleScript Functionality Now Built Into HyperCard

With AppleScript now built in, HyperCard 2.2 provides a dramatic increase in functionality to new and existing users. It enables them to integrate applications with HyperCard, providing much easier ways to manipulate and present information from a wide range of applications. Users can launch, control and exchange data with a host of scriptable applications such as 4th Dimension, MacWrite, FileMaker, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, PhotoFlash, QuarkXpress, and WordPerfect, along with over 75 others. HyperCard supports any Open Scripting Architecture (OSA)-compliant scripting language including AppleScript, UserTalk from UserLand and CEScript from CE Software.

"HyperCard 2.2 is an optimal choice for commercial solution providers. With AppleScript support, users can create even more powerful solutions by extending the core functionality of HyperCard with off-the-shelf applications," said Param Singh, HyperCard product marketing manager. "With the wide variety of scriptable applications available today, HyperCard users can immediately create innovative applications to meet their individual needs, while preserving the simplicity and ease-of-use of the HyperCard environment."

Color/Media Integration

HyperCard's new ColorTools enhance the useability and visual appeal of existing and new solutions. In addition to importing and resizing color PICT graphics, users can select from a palette of 256 shades to color HyperCard elements such as buttons, fields, cards and backgrounds. HyperCard's QuickTime tools allow users to incorporate movies into cards and stacks with point and click simplicity.

"The new release of HyperCard, especially with its open scripting and color support, gives a wide range of Macintosh users access to incredible programming power. I am delighted with Apple's commitment to the product, and expect to see new and existing users develop exciting new solutions for themselves and the Macintosh community," said Danny Goodman, HyperCard user and author of The Complete HyperCard 2.2 Handbook, coming in January 1994 from Random House Electronic Publishing.

HyperCard continues to help multimedia authors differentiate their product by providing comprehensive multimedia capabilities in one environment. With ADDmotion II, HyperCard 2.2 facilitates easy media, color and sound editing to help users enhance the value of new and existing stacks.

ADDmotion II is a 24-bit color paint, animation and sound extension that integrates seamlessly into HyperCard and provides tools for controlling and editing animations and sounds.

HyperCard 2.2 is the premier solution for education. With color and QuickTime capabilities, HyperCard enables educators to create innovative, compelling courseware while preserving ease-of-use for students.

In addition, HyperCard 2.2 supports WorldScript, which makes it possible to include different languages in a field or card to create powerful multilingual solutions. HyperCard users can script in several languages including French and Japanese, using AppleScript dialects extensions.

Pricing and Availability

The U.S. suggested retail price (SRP) for HyperCard 2.2 is $249. As part of a special limited time introductory promotion, Apple is offering HyperCard 2.2 for an U.S. SRP of $139. Additionally, Apple will contact registered users of HyperCard 2.0 or 2.1 to offer a full upgrade for $89. Apple is also offering a $39 upgrade to customers who have purchased Claris HyperCard 2.1 between November 1, 1993 and December 31, 1993.

HyperCard 2.3

HyperCard software is Apple's premier tool for creating custom software solutions for business, education, and multimedia. Commercial developers, consultants, in-house programmers, and end users can use HyperCard to acquire, manage, and display information any way they need to.

HyperCard organizes information into easy-to-use "stacks" of cards through which users can navigate and search for the information they need. Simply by clicking on a button, they can view related text, see a graphic, hear a sound, watch a QuickTime movie, or listen to text spoken out loud.

HyperCard is an ideal development tool for a wide range of applications, including multimedia presentations, front ends to host data, courseware, and computer-based training materials.

Beginners can start creating stacks right away; no scripting experience is required. The new Button Tasks feature lets you automatically integrate text, graphics, video, sound, spoken text, and links to other applications into your stacks without writing a single script. HyperCard also offers extensive on-line help, as well as ready-to-use stacks, templates, and elements.

At the same time, HyperCard provides a robust prototyping and development environment for professional developers. It comes with powerful scripting tools, a modeless script editor, hypertext support, debugging tools, external commands, and many other features to help you create powerful custom software. Use HyperTalk software--HyperCard's powerful, English-like scripting language--to add power and versatility to your stacks. HyperCard also comes with the AppleScript scripting language. You can write AppleScript scripts that attach to HyperCard buttons to launch, control, and exchange data with other off-the-shelf scriptable applications, either locally or over a network. HyperCard provides an easy mechanism for distributing your stacks. You can save any stack as a stand-alone, double-clickable Macintosh application that can be distributed without software royalty fees.

Technical Specifications

Complete support for scripting languages

• Add power and versatility to HyperCard applications using HyperTalk--HyperCard's scripting language--or any scripting language compatible with the Open Scripting Architecture (OSA), such as AppleScript
• Attach AppleScript scripts to HyperCard objects such as buttons to launch and control other applications, exchange data with them, and so on--even over a network
• Link HyperCard stacks with any of more than 100 scriptable applications, such as Claris FileMaker Pro 2.0 and Microsoft Excel 4.0 (applications must be running under System 7)
• Use localized versions of AppleScript system extensions to script in Japanese, French, or other languages (requires additional software)

Multimedia features

• Add QuickTime movies to stacks using the QuickTime Tools stack
• Include sound, animation, and graphics in your stacks
• Have HyperCard text read aloud by your computer

Color drawing and painting tools

• Choose from 256 colors to apply to buttons, fields, backgrounds, and cards
• Import 24-bit color or grayscale PICT graphics
• Resize, reposition, and edit graphics on the card
• Create PICT images with 24-bit color painting tools

Automated Button Tasks

• Automatically assign tasks to buttons without writing a single script
• Go to another destination (first card, previous card, home, or others)
• Play a QuickTime movie
• Play a sound
• Have text read aloud (using PlainTalk software)
• Launch another application
• Apply visual effects for transitions between cards

Powerful development features

• Third-party external commands (XCMDs) let you control a wide variety of systems and equipment, including mainframe computers, networks, videodisc players, and CD-ROM drives.
• Hypertext applications can be created by linking a word or group of words.
• Modeless script editor lets you view several scripts and stacks at once and quickly copy and paste HyperTalk or AppleScript code between them.
• Debugging menu lets you set checkpoints in, and step and trace through, a HyperTalk script while it's running, for fast and easy troubleshooting.
• Background processing lets you continue working in other applications while complex scripts are running or while you compact or sort a stack.
• Variable Watcher shows how variables are used and changed and lets you edit variables while debugging your script.
• Message Watcher lets you view HyperTalk messages as they're sent, so you can see how your program's logic really works.
• "Save as" options let you create stand-alone applications or ones that can run using HyperCard Player (widely available on Macintosh systems).

Flexible formatting and reporting

• Design multiple report layouts for each stack--and copy and paste report formats between stacks
• Control the content, appearance (including font, size, and style), and placement of text elements in report formats
• Create card sizes ranging from 1 by 1 inch to 18 by 18 inches
• Print individual fields, selected parts of a card, a single card, selected cards (containing a certain word, button, or background), or an entire stack

System requirements

• An Apple Macintosh, Power Macintosh, or PowerBook computer; QuickTime Tools require a 68020 or later processor; text-to-speech function requires a 68040 or later processor
• A hard disk drive
• At least 2MB of RAM required for HyperCard 2.3; 4MB of RAM required for system software version 7.0 or later, QuickTime Tools, and AppleScript; at least 5MB of RAM is recommended when using Color Tools
• Macintosh system software version 6.0.5 or later
• QuickTime Tools requires the QuickTime system extension; text-to-speech function requires PlainTalk software (included)
• Button Tasks requires; AppleScript system extension,
  • Version 7.0 or later required for Color Paint Tools
  • Version 7.1 or later required for AppleScript, HyperCard button tasks, and the standalone application builder
• Multilingual HyperCard applications may require WorldScript software and/or international versions of AppleScript software

HyperCard 2.3.5 Value Bundle

HyperCard 2.3.5 Value Bundle is a comprehensive package of tools for authoring media-rich interactive solutions. Create your own wide range of applications including multimedia presentations, CD-ROM titles, courseware, and computer-based training materials.

Use HyperCard features such as Button Tasks to start creating simple interactive applications immediately, without scripting. As your skills increase, take advantage of sophisticated HyperCard features to create more complex projects. Incorporate sounds, 24-bit color graphics, animations, and movies into your solutions. Link HyperCard to other applications to control them or get data from them. You can even make stand-alone applications that anyone can run whether they have HyperCard software or not.

Included free in the bundle is Myst, the best-selling interactive game based on HyperCard. Myst vividly demonstrates the innovative multimedia possibilities of HyperCard.

LiveCard software lets you share your HyperCard projects on an intranet or Internet web site. Published stacks can be viewed with web browsers running on any platform, including Windows and UNIX. A limited-time version of WebSTAR software is included to get you started with your own web server.

Also provided is Movie Cleaner LE with Web Motion, which optimizes QuickTime movies for playback from a CD-ROM or the World Wide Web. You can integrate the movies into your HyperCard applications, assured that they will look their best for your users.

Technical Specifications

Complete HyperCard support for scripting languages

• Add power and versatility to HyperCard applications with HyperTalk—the scripting language of HyperCard—or any scripting language compatible with the Open Scripting Architecture (OSA), such as AppleScript or UserTalk
• Use AppleScript scripts to control applications on the local Macintosh or across a network
• Use localized versions of AppleScript system extensions to script in Japanese or French (requires additional software)

Powerful development features

• Third-party external commands (XCMDs) let you control a wide variety of systems and equipment, including videodisc players and CD-ROM drives
• Hypertext applications can be created by linking a word or group of words
• Modeless script editor lets you view several scripts and stacks at once and quickly copy and paste HyperTalk or AppleScript code between them
• Debugging menu lets you set checkpoints in, and step and trace through, a HyperTalk script while it's running, for fast and easy troubleshooting
• Background processing lets you continue working in other applications
• Variable Watcher shows how variables are used and changed and lets you edit variables while debugging your script
• Message Watcher lets you view HyperTalk messages as they are sent
• "Save as" options let you create stand-alone applications

Movie Cleaner LE with Web Motion

• Compresses QuickTime movies for playback from hard disks, CD-ROMs, or web sites
• Guides you through the optimization process using an easy question-and-answer format
• Supports any QuickTime codec
• Web Motion (plug-in to Movie Cleaner LE) creates the HTML code to incorporate QuickTime videos into your web pages

LiveCard

• Makes HyperCard stacks available to users of computers based on Mac OS, Windows, OS/2, UNIX, Web TV, and other system software
• LiveCard supports industry standard protocols including: HTTP 1.0, CGI 1.0, HTML 2.0, and later
• Provides built-in support for "shopping baskets" and JavaScript
• Automatically generates HTML forms and processes content submitted by a remote user

System Requirements

• An Apple Macintosh, Power Macintosh, or PowerBook computer
  • 68020 minimum processor required for HyperCard
  • 68040 or higher processor strongly recommended for all bundle features
• At least 4MB of RAM for HyperCard
  • 2MB required for WebSTAR
  • 4MB required for System 7.0 or later, QuickTime Tools, Color Tools, and AppleScript
  • 8MB required for Movie Cleaner LE
• A hard disk drive
  • 12MB minimum for HyperCard
  • 3MB of available hard disk space required for Movie Cleaner LE; 100MB required for all sample Movie Cleaner movies
• Monitor with at least 256 colors required for Movie Cleaner LE
  • Resolution of at least 832 by 624 pixels, and thousands or millions of colors recommended
• System 6.0.7 or later minimum required for HyperCard
  • System 7.1 or later required for Button Tasks, AppleScript, and the stand-alone application builder
  • System 7.5 or later minimum required for LiveCard and Movie Cleaner LE.
• QuickTime 2.0 or later required for Movie Cleaner LE (version 2.5 or later recommended)
• Sound Manager 3.2 or later (included with System 7.5.3 and QuickTime 2.5) strongly recommended for Movie Cleaner LE; required for IMA audio compression

HyperText Markup Language

HyperText Transfer Protocol