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Welcome to the HyperCard FAQ - Table of Contents
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FAQ Version 1.2.2 Tue, Nov 18, 1997
FAQ Versions
------------
Interim Organic FAQ v.0.0.2 by Dave Lorand released in October, 1993
Version .04 released in November, 1993
Version 1.0 released in 1994
Version 1.1 released in 1995
Slight modifications 7/20/96
AND NOW version 1.2, released on Monday, December 9, 1996
It's been a long, strange trip.
Version 1.2.1 released Monday, December 23, 1996
Have a happy HyperCard holiday and script safely.
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SEE THE FAQ ON THE WEB!
<http://www.glasscat.com/hypercard>
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Foreward for Version 1.2
------------------------
Apple is still alive and kicking and HyperCard seems to be making a
comeback. Me, I've delved into Macromedia Director and learned some
things about the DOS/WINDOWS world and my own conclusion is that
there's still nothing in the scripting/authoring world like
HyperCard.
Long live Bill Atkinson.
This may be the last version of the FAQ for HC 2.x. Rumors of HC 3.0
are hot and heavy with folks seeing it more often than Elvis and it
hasn't been released yet (as of this writing). My guess is Q2 of '97.
The FAQ addendum contains what's known in the civilized world about
3.0. Join the mailing list or news group to keep up with the latest
rumors or go to MacWorld or the WWDC for a preview.
Mine was not the only FAQ in HC history -- several of us got the FAQ
idea about the same time and Dave Lorand got tired of waiting for my
FAQ and released the Interim Organic FAQ. (Dave continued to help
with the FAQ thru 1996.) I *think* Bruce Carter was also preparing a
FAQ and kindly sent me his archive. Seeing I didn't really understand
the amount of work involved, everyone deferred to me. I thought it
would be easy. It's not which is why this is the first big update in
quite a while.
I want to thank hypercarders everywhere for all of the support and
help I've received in the process of putting this document together.
Peter Fleck, Keeper of the HyperCard FAQ
December 9, 1996
Introduction
============
A Listing of Frequently Asked Questions and Information about the
HyperCard Programming Environment
Part 1 is general information and a full table of contents. Part 2 is
meant as an introduction to the HyperCard environment. Part 3 covers
scripting. Part 4 is an addendum that covers multiple topics of more
recent interest than the previous FAQ files. I'm hoping to do more
frequent updatings within the addendum.
Current versions of the FAQ are available for anonymous ftp from
ftp://members.aol.com/petefleck/hcfaq.sit.hqx [Parts 1-4]
ftp://members.aol.com/petefleck/hcfaq1of4.txt
ftp://members.aol.com/petefleck/hcfaq2of4.txt
ftp://members.aol.com/petefleck/hcfaq3of4.txt
ftp://members.aol.com/petefleck/hcfaq4of4.txt
(You'll also find the ftp links at my current web page:
http://members.aol.com/pfhyper
and you can take a look at my home page in the process.)
The purpose of The HyperCard FAQ is to provide information and answer
basic questions about HyperCard; its scripting language, HyperTalk;
and various resources and products relating to HyperCard.
When I first released the FAQ, Apple was still bundling the "real"
HyperCard application with new Macs, sans documentation. One of my
goals with the FAQ was to provide some very basic documentation for
those curious about following the HyperCard path.
Today, Apple only includes the HyperCard Player; to script and author,
you have to buy HyperCard and you get all the manuals. You should
also consider some third-party books -- check the Books section of
this FAQ for more info.
The HyperCard FAQ is not meant to replace the Apple manuals, or the
excellent third party books available.
Editorial comments are in brackets ([]). Script commands and internet
addresses in text appear between <> (except where I forgot to use
these conventions).
Add your $.02
-------------
Comments, suggestions, ideas, typo lists, are welcome
and appreciated. [I know I didn't proof this version as well as
I should have.]
I can be reached via the internet at:
pfhyper@aol.com
or
pf@pfhyper.com
Copyright Info
--------------
This document may be copied and redistributed on the
understanding that NO resale of this information is undertaken
by any recipient. This means non-profit, non-commercial
publications (user group newsletters, for example) can reprint
the FAQ but that it cannot be used in a book or commercial
magazine. Individual authors who contributed to the FAQ still
own the copyright on their material.
Any reproduction of the information should be complete and
entire and provide reference to the original source (i.e. the
HYPERCARD FAQ) and the editor (Peter Fleck), and individual
authors where directly mentioned in the text. The editor would
like to be informed of any reprints and would very much
appreciate a copy of the publication.
The editor takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions or
misunderstandings, however induced!
Easy View and Setext
--------------------
[I have a 7500 with System 7.5.5 and Easy View still works with
no problems. 12/9/96]
This document is formatted as setext. You can use the Easy View
structured text reader to browse the FAQ. Easy View divides the FAQ
into chapters and heads and has search capabilities.
Easy View is available for anonymous ftp
from <mac.archive.umich.edu> in directory /mac/util/text.
[Info from the Easy View Read Me]
Easy View is an application for intelligent browsing of collections
of structured text files, large or small. It allows very fast access
by recognizing the internal structure. All of the following text
formats can be viewed using Easy View:
- setext, including TidBITS and similar publications
- Info-Mac, c.s.m.p, or similar digests
- Mail collections: Internet, Navigator, Notebook, etc.
- Text with "simple" format
- Dictionaries
- Plain text
Written by M. Akif Eyler, Bilkent University, 06533 Ankara, Turkey.
e-mail: eyler@trbilun.bitnet eyler@bcc.bilkent.edu.tr
Setext
More information can be obtained from the designer Ian Feldman
<setext-list@random.se>, or by sending "setext" alone
on the subject line, no quotes, to <fileserver@tidbits.com>
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.2.2
--------------------------
Updated "HyperCard Info Resources" (Part 2) to reflect the new
mailing list. Also some other minor updating of that section.
Added some new info from Paul Foraker about the resizing windows.
(Part 4).
Corrected some errors.
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.2.1
--------------------------
Jacque Gay reported some 8-bit characters in the text which caused
her problems when uploading the FAQ files to AOL. I think I've
removed them via the Convert to ASCII... extension in BBEdit.
Added "Where did the Button Tasks button go?" in part 4, Bugs
section.
Added "How do I extract my original stack from a stand-alone?" in
part 4, Misc. section.
Added "How can I get my HyperCard stack on the web?" in part 4,
Misc. section.
Added Mark Gregory's HyperCard tutorial site:
<http://www.chepd.mq.edu.au/boomerang/teachhc/> in part 2, The
Basics, "HyperCard Info Resources".
Added short blurb about my home page in the Introduction section.
Added Jacque Gay's name to the people I thank in Acknowledgements.
Added Peter Brigham's name to the people I thank in Acknowledgements
for his "FAQ to stack" work.
Updated info on Michael Swaine's HyperPub publication in part 2, The
Basics, "HyperCard Info Resources". There is a web site:
http://gate.cruzio.com/~mswaine/HyperPub/HyperPubHome.html
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.2
------------------------
Added a new Part 1 which contains a full table of contents and general
info.
Part 4, The Addendum is all new.
Updated URLs and put them in standard format.
Added some URLs for downloading x-things.
Updated titles and ISBNs for Winkler's, Kamins's, & DeVoto's _The
Book_ and Goodman's Complete Handbook.
New introductory section.
Updated "Are there programs like HyperCard for ...?" with new information
about Oracle Media Objects, MetaCard, and HyperCard IIGS
Added info about TrueColor and OpenStack.
Did some other stuff I can't remember.
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.1 (1995)
------------------------
What's the background domain? What's the card domain?
How many stacks can I have open at once?
Will my HC 2.2 stack work with earlier versions of HC?
My color standalone has no color!
Can I add color to my stacks? [Moved from HC Scripting FAQ]
My visual effect commands don't work. [Moved from HC Scripting FAQ]
HyperCard doesn't work on my PowerMac.
What is the merryxmas virus?
What is the HC virus?
Reporting bugs and suggesting improvements.
Minor changes, additions, or updates were made to the
following FAQs
-----------------------------------------------------------
Where Can I purchase HyperCard?
HyperCard Info Resources
Where can I find HyperCard stacks? (ftp info)
What is the HyperCard Player?
What is AppleScript?
What is Home?
Books on HyperCard
Book Reviews
HyperCard Products and Related Applications
Admin
=====
Acknowledgments
---------------
Many are they who have contributed to this FAQ and I thank you all.
A few are mentioned in the articles. Special thanks to the
following:
Dave Lorand <davel@earlham.edu>,ex FAQ Archivist. Dave posted the
FAQ to comp.sys.mac.hypercard and archived it at ftp.earlham.edu.
Dave has the distinction of posting the first HC FAQ. He beat
me by a few days.
Bruce Carter and John Pinto for some of the early data collection
that got the FAQ going. John has a text version of the FAQ on the web.
Brian Molyneux for version data and info on Royal Software products.
Editing and proofing: Bill Brown, Bruce Carter, Bill Karle
Book List: Originally compiled by Asif Taiyabi
HyperCard 2.2 Review: Paul Foraker
Peter Brigham for taking the FAQ and making it a stack and getting it
done really fast after a text release. The stack is available on
my AOL ftp site (or will be RSN).
ftp://members.aol.com/petefleck/
The following list submitted answers or suggestions that
were helpful in the FAQ preparation.
Jay Cross
Dave Blackburn
Cory Doctorow
Geoff Duncan
Jacque Gay
Mark G. Gillingham
Christopher J. Henrich
Scott Raney
Jeffrey D. Wurtz
Who's Peter Fleck?
------------------
He is president of PF Hyper, a Mac consulting company
that uses HyperCard (and Director and SuperCard) for
making training programs and interactive multimedia for
both the Mac and Windows. Check out his web page at
<http://members.aol.com/pfhyper/>.
FAQ TABLE OF CONTENTS
======================
Part 1 of 4 - FAQ Table of Contents
====================================
FAQ Version History
Foreward for Version 1.2
Introduction
-------------
Add your $.02
Copyright Info
Easy View and Setext
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.2.1
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.2
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.1
Comprehensive Table of Contents
Admin
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Acknowledgments
Who's Peter Fleck?
Part 2 of 4 - The Basics
=========================
FAQ Version History
Foreward for Version 1.2
Introduction
-------------
Add your $.02
Copyright Info
Easy View and Setext
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.2.1
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.2
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.1
Comprehensive Table of Contents
Admin
------
Acknowledgments
Who's Peter Fleck?
The Basics
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Where Can I purchase HyperCard?
HyperCard Info Resources
Where can I find HyperCard stacks? (ftp info)
Books on HyperCard
Book Reviews
Hypercard Products and Related Applications
Addresses for HC Products
What is HyperCard?
What is HyperTalk?
What is Home?
What is the HyperCard Player?
What is a standalone?
What is AppleScript?
What is the user level?
What's the background domain? What's the card domain?
What does the Compact Stack do?
How can I make my menubar appear (or disappear)?
How do I record my own sounds?
Can I add color to my stacks?
How many stacks can I have open at once?
Version Misc.
--------------
Version History
What's new in version 2.0?
What's new in version 2.1?
What's new in version 2.2?
Version 2.2 Review
Will Version 1.2.5 work with System 7?
Will HyperCard 2.x work with System 6?
Will my HC 2.2 stack work with earlier versions of HC?
How do I convert a 1.x version stack to 2.x?
Problems & Bugs
----------------
Miscellaneous HyperCard Problems and Memory
I only have two (or three) user level choices available.
Why do my buttons disappear when I go to another card?
The "Fonts not installed" Message
Command-space doesn't toggle the menubar.
The Protect Stack command disappeared.
Help! I lost my password.
My color standalone has no color!
My visual effect commands don't work.
HC 2.1 Bugs and the Mac AVs
HyperCard doesn't work on my PowerMac.
What is the merryxmas virus?
What is the HC virus?
General
--------
Reporting bugs and suggesting improvements.
How do I make pictures of card images?
Hidden printing features.
Admin
------
Acknowledgments
Who's Peter Fleck?
Part 3 of 4 - Scripting
========================
FAQ Version History
Foreward for Version 1.2
Introduction
-------------
Add your $.02
Copyright Info
Easy View and Setext
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.2.1
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.2
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.1
General Scripting
------------------
How can I learn scripting?
Why do scripts speed up with repeated use?
How can I stop a script from running?
When should I save my script?
The lines in the script editor are too long.
Home Stack Specials
How can I select multiple buttons or fields?
Can I script menu commands?
How long can a variable name be?
Can I add color to my stacks?
How do I create pop-up menus on a card?
What is the maximum capacity of a field in HyperCard?
How can I get more than 30K in a field?
What are resources?
How do I install resources in my stacks?
How do I create a PICT resource?
Can I auto-compact my stacks?
How can I create stand-alone applications with HyperCard?
Save As Application Not Available
Standalones as HOME
What is Hypertext?
Misc.
------
Are there programs like HyperCard for ...?
Where can I get the Power Tools stack?
How do I use QuickTime in HyperCard?
How do I refer to a QuickTime movie window?
Is it OK to install fonts in stacks?
I'm going to try installing the fonts anyway, do I use ResEdit?
What are the correct parameters for the picture command?
SuperCard vs. HyperCard 1
SuperCard vs. HyperCard 2
How close are HyperTalk and SuperTalk?
Problems
---------
Why scripts don't work.
My visual effect commands don't work.
My userLevel won't stay at 5 (scripting).
Selecting text from a script doesn't work.
The text insertion point disappears when opening.
What does the padlock in the menubar mean?
What does "Error XXXX" mean? Error on compacting?
How can I script the polygon tool?
XCMDs & XFCNs
--------------
What's the difference between an XCMD and an XFCN?
Where can I find an XCMD/XFCN to do such-and-such?
How can I get Balloon Help in my stacks?
Can I test the state of a specific pixel?
How can I create a custom palette?
Palette TIP
Admin
------
Acknowledgments
Who's Peter Fleck?
Part 4 of 4 - Addendum
=======================
FAQ Version History
Foreward for Version 1.2
Introduction
-------------
Add your $.02
Copyright Info
Easy View and Setext
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.2.1
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.2
New in HyperCard FAQ 1.1
Version Addendum
-----------------
What are the versions of HyperCard since 2.2?
What's new in version 2.3?
What's new in version 2.3.1?
What's new in version 2.3.2 and 2.3.3?
What's new in version 2.3.5?
How much does HyperCard 2.3.x cost?
I have HyperCard 2.3, how can I get HyperCard 2.3.5?
Is there a press release for HyperCard 2.3?
What about HyperCard 3.0?
When will HyperCard 3.0 be released?
Bugs
----
The "answer folder" command isn't working correctly in my standalone.
I can't record with built-in sound recording in HyperCard on my new Mac.
My card window won't increase beyond 512 X 342 pixels.
I can't edit my scripts.
There is no "Link To" button in the Button Info Dialog.
What is the "65536" bug?
Where did the Button Tasks button go?
Virus
-----
What is the Pickle virus?
I don't have SAM or Virex. How can I stop Pickle?
Is there any new information about the Merryxmas virus?
How do I protect against the new Merryxmas virus mutations?
General Scripting
------------------
What is the "HyperCard Quick Reference"?
Misc.
------
What happened to Heizer Software?
How do I extract my original stack from a stand-alone?
How can I get my HyperCard stack on the web?
Admin
------
Acknowledgments
Who's Peter Fleck?