jf@ap.co.umist.ac.uk (John Forrest) (02/10/91)
This is going to sound like a very naive question, but here goes. We've just bought some classics, which means I finally get a mac on my desk. Like many places they came in dribs and drabs. The first few had cards to return such that Hypercard2 would be dispatched on receipt - we got the Macs after the closing date, so I hope something happens. Anyway, a final one arrived with it bundled. Thus I have been able to play with it. However, when I got hold of one of the books on HyperTalk programming, I couldn't work out how to get the user level up such that I can write scripts etc. The books here are still for v1.2 (ish), but the advise of going to the home card and getting its predecessor reveals a card where I can only choose between levels 1 and 2 - browsing or test modifying. Oh thought I, they only dispatch a version that you can read cards (wonder why?), perhaps I need the development kit? Then I read that this is designed not for experts but for learners - perhaps useful for me, but hardly explaining why I can't edit. Could some one put me straight - perhaps an e-mail reply would be better. I should perhaps explain that the UK distribution comes with a few sample stackes associated with a diary and address book, together with a home card that will steer you to the correct one. I'm still using this home card. Perhaps I shouldn't, but you have to give it something! Thanks in advance. John Forrest Dept of Computation UMIST
gort@cup.portal.com (george d harrington) (02/13/91)
On uncrippling your copy of Hypercard 2.0 : try the following:
Go to the preferences card and type the word magic into
the msg box.(Open the msg box with cmd-M) If this fails, type
"set the userlevel to 5" into the msg box, select the button
tool, click on the opaque button(s) covering levels 4 and 5,
and delete it(them). Select the browse tool( the picture of
the hand), click on the 5, and you should be in business.
If you now type "the userlevel" into the msg box, it should say
5. I'll leave it to you to figure out how to get to level 6.
You might also want to invest in the Danny Goodman book
"The Complete Hypercard 2.0 Handbook" publ by Bantam in the US,
don't know about UK. It's definitely better than the first 2
editions of this book. When you're ready for the more advanced
stuff, try "HyperTalk 2.0, The Book" by Winkler and Kamins, an
authoritative reference from the author of the language and a
deservedly well respected Mac author. (When undecided about what
book to buy on the Mac, buy the one by the guy with the first
name "Scot" or "Scott". This rule of thumb works surprisingly well.)
Hope this helps.
gort@cup.portal.com
Disclaimer: Klatu barada nikto.