I agree with Uli's goals for this.
LiveCode may continue to be the dominant 'upgrade' to HyperCard, but there
is definitely a need for a re-imagined HyperCard, without the baggage and
cumbersome things that have become outdated over time. A good example of
this would be Uli's thoughts in a message to this group on 23/11/2013
entitled "A script editor without scripts, that learns".
The one thing that is putting me off from helping further with this at the
moment, is the fact that it is Mac only. This, I fear, is a fairly large
barrier to adoption - although Mac usage is increasing. Any ways round this
/ thoughts on this?
Despite the above, Stacksmith is a HUGE step in the right direction towards
a modern-day HyperCard. I look forward to see what the future will hold...
On 7 May 2016 at 20:37, Alain Farmer alain_farmer@[redacted].com[HyperCard] <
HyperCard-Mailing-List> wrote:
>
>
> Hi Craig,
>
> I cannot speak for Uli, of-course, but for me it is making our xCard as
> EASY as can be.
>
> I started using MetaCard back in 1995; and I have been using
> RunRev/Livecode for about a decade.
>
> Hats-off to Runtime: they stuck it out, all of this time,
> and are still going strong, as evidenced by their new release (8.0).
>
> But...
>
> This may have to be revized, because I haven't seen 8.0 yet,
> but let's face it: it is still complex to use.
>
> I am keenly aware of this, particularly at this time,
> because I'm teaching some people how to use Livecode,
> and, given that it is their first exposure to any xCard,
> they are overwhelmed.
>
> Back in the HyperCard days,
> I would have them read one of my MANY HyperCard books,
> but all we have is Livecode's dictionary and some overly-simple examples.
>
> The dictionary contains very few examples,
> the examples don't cover all of the possibilities,
> and they are generally one-liners (no elaborate examples).
>
> Of-course all that I have spoken-of here
> can and should-be done for/with Livecode.
>
> But Livecode's interface is also very complex.
> I have been using it, for over 10 years,
> and there are still MANY checkboxes/etc that I have no-clue what they do.
>
> The menus and panes of the object-info dialog are too many and too obtuse..
> Some of the panes: I have no clue what they do. Entire panes!
>
> The images and patterns of the color-picking pane is buggy: crashes LC-app.
> The graphics, everywhere, are retro, pitiful, and un-professional looking..
> Livecode needs a serious facelift.
>
> Agreed that we have FAR-MORE features than in the eighties.
> But we must not sacrifice ease and intuitiveness in the process of
> evolving.
>
> We need:
> * Docs
> * Lots of examples
> * Tutorials with graduated degree of complexity.
> * Refactoring of the GUI: palettes, dialogs, menus ...
> * Facelift
> * Etc
>
> What is your motivation/s, Uli ?
>
> Are you considering joining us, Craig ?
>
> Regards,
>
> Alain
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* "DunbarX@[redacted].com[HyperCard]" <HyperCard-Mailing-List>
> *To:* HyperCard-Mailing-List
> *Sent:* Saturday, May 7, 2016 2:52 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [HC] Want to help build a new HyperCard?
>
>
> Uli:
>
> I have been with HC since 1987. I was provincial in my outlook, all
> through Supercard, toolBook, etc.
>
> I started with LiveCode eight years ago. i still touted HC as the
> original, the venerated, the real deal.
>
> I still maintain a handful of HC stacks in my company, and still work
> them regularly.
>
> But LC is the very thing you are trying to build. You surely know all
> about it. So my question to you is this: what can you create that LC is not
> already? I understand this as a labor of love. But as an alternative???
>
> Craig Newman
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Uli Kusterer Witness.of.TeachText@[redacted].net[HyperCard] <
> HyperCard-Mailing-List>
> To: HyperCard <HyperCard-Mailing-List>
> Sent: Sat, May 7, 2016 5:28 am
> Subject: [HC] Want to help build a new HyperCard?
>
>
> Hi,
>
> I've been hard at work for the last couple years working on a HyperCard
> clone. It is still far from finished, but it's in a state where you can
> actually see most of the foundations already and it's just incomplete and
> buggy. If any of you are interested in helping in its development, I'd be
> very interested. There is a web site here:
>
>
https://stacksmith.org>
> There is a large variety of skills that would be helpful, not just limited
> to programming. There's a list on the web site. If you feel you could help,
> or you know someone who might be interested, why not let them know? :-)
>
> Cheers,
> -- Uli Kusterer
> "The Witnesses of TeachText are everywhere..."
>
https://stacksmith.com>
>
>
>