ba0k+@andrew.cmu.edu (Brian Patrick Arnold) (09/25/90)
Howdy,
Herb Poppe righteously sez:
>Have people forgotten that scripting has always been hidden in HyperCard?
To further that thread, ANY one of us can protect the userLevel in a
HyperCard stack using "Protect Stack" options as well as substitute a
simpler, leaner Home stack that more rigidly hides scripting userLevel
from the user. If all Claris is going to do for the bundled version is
protect the userLevel of the home stack as well as skew it and other
bundled stacks toward the novice, then I don't have much trouble with
that.
!!! As long as we can hold down the command-Key and select "Protect
Stack..." to change the userLevel protection without buying a
"script-accessible" version from Claris !!!
I think the "politically correct" thing is to still have a "Scripting"
radio button userLevel preference with some alarm that goes off saying
"hey you're gonna need Claris documentation or a widely-distributed
HyperTalk book if you really wanna use that userLevel!" I think most
novices just getting started would appreciate a userlevel-4-secured
HyperCard-with-alarm approach.
I've seen a lot of people not knowing where to begin when it comes to
scripting and the current status quo of scant
non-documentation-for-the-brain-dead plus non-support and no significant
support tools* is far, far more alarming than charging for real
documentation, real support and real tools. Expecting $50-100 for the
"keys" to to the door to the room that we could call real HyperTalk
programming would be a crime - we should all expect that Claris is
"adding value" to the scripting level to, uh, empower us if we choose to
use this userLevel. Er, instead of charging for the "keys" it should be
charging to ease the significant "move" into this "real HyperTalk
programming" room with documentation and user-support as well as
providing some of the furniture that goes in the otherwise mostly-empty
programming room with developer's tools*. I don't have trouble with
Claris owning the rights to the room and charging for use of Claris'
"value-added" documentation, support and furniture as long as the room
stays unlocked and accessible for free. Is this metaphor working?
If Claris can tier some of its support and minimal tools to the average
user for under $50, then I think this is reasonable since most "real
HyperTalk programmers" are already dropping $15-40 per book that
describes the stupid environment and language.
My 2c.
- Brian
* Here's a new thread: exactly where do HyperCard 2.0 beta's debugging
facilities fall, are they "walls" in the room called "real HyperCard
programming" or are they some "value-added" furniture?