Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!wuarchive!usc!apple!jkc
From: jkc@Apple.COM (John Kevin Calhoun)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hypercard
Subject: Re: Hypercard 2.0
Message-ID: <47827@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 7 Jan 91 20:54:56 GMT
References: <12208@pucc.Princeton.EDU>
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA
Lines: 52


In article <12208@pucc.Princeton.EDU> EGNILGES@pucc.Princeton.EDU
(Ed Nilges) writes:
>It's pretty arrogant to convert a pre-2.0 stack to 2.0 format, such
>that the stack CANNOT be used with an older version of Hypercard and
>without any backup.  It assumes that the user wants to use Hypercard
>2.0, which is slower and which (it appears) behaves differently with
>stacks that work under older versions.  This may very well be the case.
>However, by converting the stack without backup, you've taken control
>out of the user's hands.  This isn't like the Apple Computer I know...
>it's more like IBM.

Of course, the reason you can't open converted stacks with HyperCard 1.x
is that the file format has changed to include new information, such as
window location, styled text in fields, shared hilight states for
background buttons -- lots of things to support the new features of 2.0.

In HyperCard 2.0, when you choose "Convert Stack..." from the File menu,
you get a dialog that says "Convert stack to 2.0 format?".  This is
inadequate, for two reasons:

1) The possibility of problems in running 1.x stacks under 2.0, though
   small, is real.
2) Users didn't get the manuals that describe stack conversion and
   advise making backups, because HyperCard 2.0 is being distributed
   in a way very different from the way we thought it would be. 

Therefore, in HyperCard 2.0v2, we changed the dialog.  It now says,
"Only HyperCard 2.0 and later versions can open converted stacks.  You
may want to save a copy before converting this stack."  I hope this is
sufficient warning for new users.  The "Save a Copy..." menu item is
in the same menu as "Convert Stack...", so there's no problem in making
a backup before conversion.

>                                                     ...right now
>I'm pissed (angry pissed, not squiffled pissed.)

Yes, I can tell, because you've made two generalizations from scant
evidence:  2.0 behaves differently with all stacks that work under
older versions, and 2.0 is slower than 1.0.  Neither of these is true.

The differences between 1.0 and 2.0 that may cause problems with older
stacks are really very minor.  I'd be happy to help you figure out what
the problem is with the stacks you've converted.

As for HyperCard 2.0 being slower than 1.x, it's true that for some
operations, especially those that require support from TextEdit, 2.0
is slower.  But, overall, 2.0 is easily faster than 1.0.

Kevin Calhoun
HyperCard Team
Apple Computer, Inc.