PYC118@uriacc.uri.edu (Rasiel) (03/18/91)
The ads I've seen for CanDo are very enticing. I'd like to know whether it really is possible for the average, nearly computer-illiterate user (i.e. guess who!) to make a decent game or program. What kind of learning curve are we talking about? Is AMOS similar/better/worse? Rasiel
yorkw@stable.ecn.purdue.edu (Willis F York) (03/18/91)
>The ads I've seen for CanDo are very enticing. I'd like to know whether it >really is possible for the average, nearly computer-illiterate user (i.e. >guess who!) to make a decent game or program. What kind of learning curve are >we talking about? Is AMOS similar/better/worse? Well from what i've seen about AMOS the two are similer in apperance only. With cando you CAN DO. (What' i've seen done) 1) Little windows with buttons that launch Dos/Arexx/ect programs. 2) "Hyper help" like stuff, (A Computerized book) 3) A De-Lharcer De-Zooer De-Arcer, utility. 4) A tetrix clone. (Called Cantrix) 5) A Paint program. 6) Database stuff, (Adress book, ect.) 7) Programs that use AREXX ports (Arexx NOT needed) to controll other programs. 8) Lot of other nifty stuff. Cando supports... Iff pictures/brushes/bruchanims/sounds/What else is there? Sipple script language, Point click interface. All resolutions, (Except Half Bright i think... never noticed Halfbright..) Programs can be made "stand-alone" and sold for profit ect.. ANd a lot of other nifty stuff... Version 1.5 (1.05?) is due to be out REAL soon. (i expect it here any day now..) and will have a LOT more features.. It's a very nifty program that allow "amiga-Idiots" who don't know C or major complecated programing ideas to have nice amiga programs with Buttons,menues,(No sliders tho... Hmmm.), and other "Amiga" stuff in their programs. Very easy to learn, but ya can do soo much with it.. I haven't seen the tutorial disk yet.. Wonder if it's any good.. / -- yorkw@ecn.purdue.edu Willis F York (Hope THIS sig don't insult anyone!)
mikep@hpmwtd.HP.COM (Mike Powell) (03/21/91)
Actually, for me, CanDo is only of limited value... with the upcoming release there should be some imprevements, but the general problem is that CanDo must provide a function for everything that you want to do... And if a particular function does not exist (like waiting until a key is pressed for example...) you are in trouble! There may be many work-arounds possible to get around these types of problems, but in order to figure them out you gotta be pretty darned good... a newcomer might be quite stuck. Cando is also slow in many ways... so animated games might be quite tough to create. I have just received The Director 2. Even though this is more like a 'true' language (programming in a text editor), it is more versatel and powerful than CanDo... but is simple enough (and well documented enough) that the Director language can be learned in a short time... the learning curve is a little steeper, but you will go farther. The same is probably true with AMOS... (also a 'true' line by line language)... although I have no experience with it... Good luck -Mike-