Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!marvel
From: marvel@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu (Howard P. Marvel)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hypercard
Subject: Re: HyperCard Improvements
Summary: Message box as calculator
Message-ID: <42156@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu>
Date: 7 Apr 89 01:42:23 GMT
References: <42120@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu> <28516@apple.Apple.COM>
Organization: Ohio State Univ Computer & Info Science
Lines: 34

In article <28516@apple.Apple.COM>, jdevoto@Apple.COM (Jeanne A. E. DeVoto) writes:
	(repeat of my request for a calculator omitted)
> Although many people are not aware of this feature, HyperCard will
> evaluate any expression (including a mathematical expression) typed
> into the message box. Personally, I find this more congenial (especially
> for complex calculations) than using a "push-button" calculator, since
> you can edit the contents of the message box before you press Return
> to evaluate the expression. Also, it has the advantage of being available
> whenever the message box is showing, and you can copy the result either
> manually or via a script.
> 
> jeanne a. e. devoto
> jdevoto@apple.com
Ah yes, but this calculator will be used by a roomful of
undergraduates, many of whom have not so much as SEEN a Macintosh
before.  During my last quarter training session with such a group, a
number of them insisted on running the mouse off the edge of their
work tables, while others complained that the mouse would not work
when moved while suspended several feet above the tables.  And I am to
offer them a message box?  In fact, I trap for the menubar and message
box, set the cantmodify, provide a custom home stack and a fully
bundled setup with elaborate attempts to keep them from having to deal
with file dialogs and the like.  They place diskettes in the SE, start
the machine, and the application begins without their initially
needing to do anything except find the power switch.  If they need to
print on a network, they get a list of available printers via a
hypercard field -- no chooser.  That's why I want a calculator that
looks like a calculator. I suppose that I could construct a pseudo
message box -- i.e. give them a field for their formula -- but somehow
I think the exercise might be more memorable if they punch buttons.

By the way, even though these students by and large haven't seen a Mac
before, most of them are hooked by the end of an hour.  In fact, for
most, they are hooked as soon as the computer addresses them by name.