Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!decwrl!shelby!rutgers!rochester!pt.cs.cmu.edu!o.gp.cs.cmu.edu!andrew.cmu.edu!ba0k+ From: ba0k+@andrew.cmu.edu (Brian Patrick Arnold) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hypercard Subject: HC already a sell-out. Message-ID: Date: 25 Sep 90 00:03:53 GMT Organization: Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA Lines: 54 Howdy, Herb Poppe righteously sez: >Have people forgotten that scripting has always been hidden in HyperCard? To further that thread, ANY one of us can protect the userLevel in a HyperCard stack using "Protect Stack" options as well as substitute a simpler, leaner Home stack that more rigidly hides scripting userLevel from the user. If all Claris is going to do for the bundled version is protect the userLevel of the home stack as well as skew it and other bundled stacks toward the novice, then I don't have much trouble with that. !!! As long as we can hold down the command-Key and select "Protect Stack..." to change the userLevel protection without buying a "script-accessible" version from Claris !!! I think the "politically correct" thing is to still have a "Scripting" radio button userLevel preference with some alarm that goes off saying "hey you're gonna need Claris documentation or a widely-distributed HyperTalk book if you really wanna use that userLevel!" I think most novices just getting started would appreciate a userlevel-4-secured HyperCard-with-alarm approach. I've seen a lot of people not knowing where to begin when it comes to scripting and the current status quo of scant non-documentation-for-the-brain-dead plus non-support and no significant support tools* is far, far more alarming than charging for real documentation, real support and real tools. Expecting $50-100 for the "keys" to to the door to the room that we could call real HyperTalk programming would be a crime - we should all expect that Claris is "adding value" to the scripting level to, uh, empower us if we choose to use this userLevel. Er, instead of charging for the "keys" it should be charging to ease the significant "move" into this "real HyperTalk programming" room with documentation and user-support as well as providing some of the furniture that goes in the otherwise mostly-empty programming room with developer's tools*. I don't have trouble with Claris owning the rights to the room and charging for use of Claris' "value-added" documentation, support and furniture as long as the room stays unlocked and accessible for free. Is this metaphor working? If Claris can tier some of its support and minimal tools to the average user for under $50, then I think this is reasonable since most "real HyperTalk programmers" are already dropping $15-40 per book that describes the stupid environment and language. My 2c. - Brian * Here's a new thread: exactly where do HyperCard 2.0 beta's debugging facilities fall, are they "walls" in the room called "real HyperCard programming" or are they some "value-added" furniture?