Description
===========
HyperCard 2.3, is the latest version in Apple's tool for creating custom software solutions for business, education, and multimedia. The software is intended for commercial developers, consultants, in-house programmers, and end users to display information in 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 provides an easy mechanism for distributing the stacks you have created. You can save any stack as a stand-alone, double-clickable Macintosh application that can be distributed without software royalty fees.
Technical Specifications
========================
Usage Requirements
------------------
* Macintosh, Power Macintosh, or PowerBook computer
- QuickTime tools require 68020 processor or greater
- Text-to-speech requires 68040 processor or grater
* Hard Drive
* 2MB RAM minimum with systems previous to System 7
* 4MB RAM minimum with System 7
* 5MB RAM recommended when using color tools
* System 6.0.5 or later
- 6.0.7 required for color tools
- 7.1 or later required for AppleScript, Button Tasks, Stand-alone
application builder.
* QuickTime Tools require QuickTime system extension
* Text-to-Speech requires PlainTalk software (included)
* Multilingual HyperCard Applications may require WorldScript software
and/or international versions of AppleScript software.
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
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
Support
=======
HyperCard 2.3 is supported by the Apple Assurance Software Support group at 1-800-SOS-APPL (767-2775).
Support Information Services