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From: johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hypercard
Subject: Re: 2.0 development--opinion
Message-ID: <37899@nigel.ee.udel.edu>
Date: 3 Dec 90 03:11:26 GMT
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In article <90334.191242APPLEREP@MTUS5.BITNET>, APPLEREP@MTUS5.BITNET writes...
>The thing that I worry about with HC 2.0 is just how widespread its acceptance
>will be with the users -- etc 
>So if I write a program, and want to make a nice help stack to go along with
>it, do I create it with HC 2.0 or 1.2.5?  

Good point.   I think the answer is that those of us who want to make stacks
using the new tools and capabilities offered by HC 2.0 will have to be the
ones who pull the wagon when it comes to convincing new users to make the
switch.  In my opinion, the only thing that will drive the switch to HC 2.0
will be the emergence of great stacks that require the new HyperCard to run.

That puts the onus on us (neat pun, huh?) to produce the stackware that
will accomplish this.  We were the ones who did alot of the griping for 
new features, right?  Now maybe it's our turn to kick in a bit.  

Regarding the $49 fee; for five disks with 'final' versions of HC 2.0, 
an 'accurate' script language guide, and phone support -- I think that
both the user and the developer get a pretty good deal.  The users group
version is great fun; mine had three different versions of the Home
stack!  But if I want to develop something for others to use, I also 
want to be able to refer back to the package that they are getting so
I know what things to include in the 'Help' and when the user should
appropriately RTFM.

I was one of the whiners who wanted HyperCard to do more -- those of 
you who are now sitting on the fence regarding Claris' commercial
HyperCard might do well to recall the history of OS/2 when it was
met with a storm of controversy from entrenched users of DOS.
Let's not get bogged down in this mire, gentlemen!  

Bill (johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu)