Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!ncar!gatech!udel!oscar.ccm.udel.edu!johnston
From: johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hypercard
Subject: Re: Claris HC vss Apple's freebe
Message-ID: <43230@nigel.ee.udel.edu>
Date: 30 Jan 91 19:32:44 GMT
Sender: usenet@ee.udel.edu
Lines: 58
Nntp-Posting-Host: oscar.ccm.udel.edu

In article <48639@apple.Apple.COM>, jdevoto@Apple.COM 
(Jeanne A. E. DeVoto) writes...

>The version of HyperCard 2.0 that's bundled with new CPUs includes the
>HyperCard application itself, a crippled Home stack (limited to userlevel
>1 and 2, unless you know the word of power*), and Address and Appointments
>stacks. There is also a 35-page pamphlet introducing the use of HyperCard.

>The $49 Claris upgrade is available to owners of HyperCard 1.x and includes
>the five-disk set with help stacks, examples, etc., the 35-page Intro booklet,
>and the Addison-Wesley Script Language Guide.

I just received my copy of the $49 Claris upgrade; I am very happy with the 
package I received but it's not exactly as described above.  The Script 
Language Guide contains no reference to Addison-Wesley.  It has Claris
markings and looks nothing like other HyperCard books I've seen -- it also
looks a lot BETTER than the other scripting books I've seen.

The pamphlet is also not the same as the one that ships with the new
Mac bundled version of HyperCard 2.0.  Instead of an "Intro", this pamphlet
highlights the changes in HyperTalk between HC 1.2.x and HC 2.0v2.

The five disks contain the same stacks as the user's group version,
with later creation dates and apparently only minor changes.  (Example:
the Train Set stack doesn't have to be repaired to make it work ... ).
I am sure that there are other more significant changes, but there
aren't MAJOR differences.

>The $199 developer package from Claris includes the five disks and (I
>have heard) 5 manuals totalling 1400 pages.

If this is true I would definitely consider the term "developer package"
to be a misnomer.  My impression is that the extra manuals introduce
HyperCard basics, along the lines of User's Guide and HyperTalk Beginner's
Guide that shipped as the HyperTalk 1.2.x package with new Macs back
in the "good old days".  At any rate, I doubt that the extra manuals
could be MORE technical than the excellent scripting guide that came
with my $49 upgrade package.

If the $199 package is indeed being marketed as a "developer package"
I would also expect that it would include more than just the same five 
disks.  What about the Apple/APDA/DTS externals stacks?  Of course,
many of these are available from "free" sources such as bbs's and 
anonymous ftp sites.  At $199, such a package would be a useful 
time-saver for some HyperCard developers, but probably not too many
comp.sys.mac.hypercard readers.  Corporate users certainly might
prefer to have their people programming instead of poking around 
ftp sites and bulletin boards to scrounge for software.

For most comp.sys.mac.hypercard readers, I think that the the $49 
package is more than adequate as a "developer package".  

How about a periodic "frequently asked questions" posting detailing
the anonymous ftp locations of the most popular and useful scripting
tools?  Any volunteers?

-- Bill (johnston@oscar.ccm.udel.edu)
-- 38 Chambers St.; Newark, DE 19711; (302)368-1949