Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!apple!apple.com!jkc From: jkc@apple.com (John Kevin Calhoun) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hypercard Subject: Claris Press Release 11/19 Message-ID: <46824@apple.Apple.COM> Date: 26 Nov 90 22:09:30 GMT Sender: jkc@Apple.COM Organization: Apple Computer Inc, Cupertino, CA Lines: 116 CLARIS DETAILS AGGRESSIVE PLANS FOR HYPERCARD 2.0 More choices, increased support with HyperCard 2.0; Bill Duvall leads development: System 7.0, beyond SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 19, 1990 - Claris Corporation today announced details of HyperCard 2.0 product and support plans, offering a choice of configurations, free phone support for registered users, and a low-cost upgrade for current users. The increased Claris commitment to HyperCard marketing, development and user support demonstrates that the original HyperCard vision -- putting Macintosh programming power in the hands of many -- is being pursued more aggressively than ever, Claris said. The announcement comes after two months of transition of HyperCard responsibility from Apple to Claris, and soon after first shipments of the major new update to the most popular Macintosh software environment, HyperCard 2.0. This version offers significant new tools and functionality, including more than 100 new features and commands, making it one of the most powerful and accessible programming systems for both novice and advanced Macintosh users. "Claris is committed to helping more users unlock the potential of HyperCard, to realize our vision of broad-based, accessible Macintosh power," said John Zeisler, Claris vice president of marketing. "During this next phase of HyperCard, users will enjoy new levels of documentation and helpful stacks, and unrivaled Claris phone support. Developers will see more aggressive advertising, marketing and development, pushing HyperCard into the hands of more users than ever before." No More 'One Size Fits All' In a major change from the past "one-size-fits-all" HyperCard product, Claris will let users choose from three different configurations of HyperCard 2.0: the Upgrade Kit, Development Kit, and Macintosh bundle. Each configuration contains exactly the same HyperCard software; the manuals, sample stacks and other tools in each configuration vary according to different users' needs. Free Claris phone support is also available to purchasers of the Upgrade or the Development Kit. 1) HyperCard 2.0 software is bundled free with every Macintosh. This configuration is designed to introduce HyperCard basics to new Macintosh users and support the large number of users who run stacks, but do not create or customize them. This configuration includes a 35-page manual introducing and explaining HyperCard and three sample stacks for addresses and personal notes, scheduling appointments, and demonstrating sound input. Like all previous releases of HyperCard, the HyperCard 2.0 bundled configuration is set to the "Typing" level of access, which allows users to browse through stacks and enter text. However, users can change the access level to operate within the program's highest user levels. 2) Claris is taking orders now for the HyperCard 2.0 Upgrade Kit. Priced at only $49, it is an excellent value for users familiar with earlier versions of HyperCard who want to create and modify scripts and take advantage of the new and extensive programming capabilities to develop applications. The Upgrade Kit will ship Nov. 26 and can be ordered by calling Claris toll-free at (800) 628-2100 (8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday). 3) The HyperCard 2.0 Development Kit is for new HyperCard users who want complete and extensive documentation and examples, ranging from HyperCard basics all the way through advanced scripting. The Development Kit will be available from authorized Claris dealers in January 1991 for a suggested retail price of $199 in the U.S. Claris Support For HyperCard Users In addition to free user phone support, Claris has put more "support" in the HyperCard box than before. The Upgrade Kit and Development Kit each come with five floppy disks which include HyperCard help, ready-made buttons and fields, stack templates, fonts and much more. Five manuals -- totaling more than 1,400 pages -- are part of the Development Kit, giving users more comprehensive access to all the power and functionality of HyperCard. Claris intends to provide support for commercial and corporate HyperCard developers in mid-1991. In the meantime, Apple Developer Technical Services will continue to support these developers. Aggressive Development: System 7.0 and Beyond Claris also announced Bill Duvall, well-known Macintosh software visionary and designer, has joined Claris as director of HyperCard development to architect the next generation of HyperCard solutions for System 7.0 and beyond. Duvall is best known as the designer of pioneering Macintosh programming products like Mac C and MDS (the Macintosh Development System, now marketed as CDS by Consulair Corp.). He was a research scientist at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) from 1973-76. Under Duvall's leadership, HyperCard development will be more aggressive than ever. Users can expect more frequent updates, and ambitious future versions of HyperCard to take advantage of new Macintosh powers such as System 7.0. International Availability Outside the U.S., Apple will continue to upgrade and support HyperCard users. Licensing and Distribution The HyperCard 2.0 program has been licensed by Apple to developers and user groups around the world. Claris and Apple will honor those agreements and continue to work with these groups. In addition, Claris is developing site licensing and volume purchase agreements for its corporate and education customers. Responsibility for development, marketing, distributing and support of HyperCard software was transferred from Apple Computer, Inc. to Claris, its subsidiary, in September, 1990. Claris, one of the top two vendors of Macintosh software,develops, markets and supports application software for Macintosh and Apple II computers. ### Copyright 1990 Claris Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Claris is a registered trademark of Claris Corporation. HyperCard is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., licensed to Claris Corporation. Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.