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Improvements Made to Archive with Version 4.7
YENCO.COM's disk catalog utility has been updated to version 4.7. Changes in this version, according to YENCO.COM include:

• Improved startup process with auto-dismiss splash screen.
• Improved registration code system.
• Integrated button bar controls at top of search window.
• Improved printing.
• Improved launch feature.
• Improved help system and updated help content.

[download] [12/24]

New Flamethrower-driven Website
Richard D. Miller announced on the SuperCard List that he has opened The Wood Exchange. As described on the the website, The Wood Exchange catalogs information on the world's commercial wood species. The database is completely Flamethrower-driven. (Side note: Nothing to do with SuperCard, but The Wood Exchange address uses the new ".info" top level domain name.) [12/24]

Finance 4.2 Printing Fixed with Version 4.3
After releasing Finance 4.2 last week (see separate story), YENCO.COM has released a minor revision to their checking, savings, and credit card account management program. The new version fixes a printing bug that was found in version 4.2. [download] [12/10]

Finance 4.2 Update Includes a Number of Improvements
YENCO.COM has updated their checking, savings, and credit card account management package to include a number of improvements:

• Improved startup process with auto-dismiss splash screen.
• Improved shareware registration code system.
• Documents now saved in TEXT based format.
• Auto-conversion of old Finance 3.0-4.1 documents.
• Integrated button bar controls at top of windows.
• Cut, copy, and paste support.
• Improved auto-save routine, and updated help system and content.

Finance 4.2 is shareware. More information about the program can be found on the Finance page at YENCO.COM. [download] [12/4]

YENCO.COM Releases New Styles for iEvents
YENCO.COM has released five new Styles for iEvents. These new calendar styles include: Lime, Aqua, Grape, Blueberry, and Tangerine.

iEvents is program written in SuperCard that creates custom calendar websites. [12/4]

iKeeper Update Improves File Conversion Process
iKeeper is YENCO.COM's SuperCard-based program which enables users to store information about their programs. According to YENCO.COM, new features in new version 1.3 include:

• Improved file conversion process.
• Fixes a couple bugs with cut and paste.
• Updates the help documentation.

Visit YENCO.COM for more information about iKeeper and their other products. [download] [11/20]

Beta Version of SimVRML Now Available
John F. Richardson has released a beta version of SimVRML:

This is to announce a beta version 1.0 of the SimVRML RPT. RPT stands for Rapid Prototyping Tool. This is actually a toolset and API. The platform for this announcement is the Macintosh G3 / G4. The OS for this announcement is Mac OS 9. This announcement is being released to several mailing lists. Comments specific to the appropriate mailing list topic are at the end of the announcement.

Components of the SimVRML System
--------------------------------------

1) SimVRML RPT --- This is a Test default GUI for SimVRMLLookat and an API. SimVRMLLookat is a modified version of MacLookat. The modified versdion of MacLookat is SimVRMLLookat. SimVRML RPT is a Macintosh application created with SuperCard 3.6. SuperCard is a multimedia IDE with an associated programming language that is in the xTalk family of programming languages. I like to think of it as sort of a "pidgeon english programming language".

The closest common equivalent in the PC world (and Mac) would be the Director IDE and the Lingo programming language. SimVRML RPT is speech enabled. The minimum requirement for speech navigation is a good USB microphone. See back issues of Macworld magazine for a review of USB microphones. I use the microphone that comes with IBM ViaVoice for the Mac which is the Andreas NC-71. The speech recognition is based upon Apples Plaintalk discrete recognition system. The test GUI has graphical elements related to basic navigation within a VRML based virtual environment. See the list of MacLookat enhancements below.

2) SimVRML RPT API --- This is an API for interfacing applications to SimVRMLLookat. The API can be used by any application or programming language that is capable of Interprocess Communications (IPC). In the Macintosh OS, the primary focus of the API is IPC involving Apple Events. Although the API is useful for FORTRAN, C, C++ and Pascal applications interfacing to SimVRMLLookat, the primary focus of the API is the use of non standard programming languages. The API discusses interfacing with SimVRMLLookat using the SuperTalk and also the G language of Labview. SuperTalk is an english like programming language associated with the SuperCard IDE. G is a parallel dataflow graphics language associated with the Labview IDE. SuperCard is usedful for multimedia GUI building. Two test SuperCard GUI's of moderate complexity are enclosed with the SimVRML RPT. Labview is useful for scientific data processing and real world and sometime real time real world data acquisition. Obviously, you would need a data acquisition card and whatever thermometer or osscilloscope or instrument you were inputting real world data from.

3) SimVRMLLookat --- This is a modified version of MacLookat. This is an enhanced Viewer for Virtual Environments created using VRML 97 and rendered using the OpenVRML libraries. The currently supported version of OpenVRML for this announcement is 0.10.1. Enhancements relate to general navigation.

The following general navigation functions are supported.

+ Rotation of the Avatars (I.E., your eye) viewpoint about the x, y and z axis with origin inside your eye.
+ Translation of the Avatars (I.E., your eye) viewpoint along the x, y and z axis with origin inside your eye.
+ Scaling of the virtual environment (zooming)
+ Variable translation speeds and rotation angles.
+ Next and Previous viewpoints.
+ MacLookat functions such as toggling (wireframes,...), loading,...
+ Speech Input with tooltips cueing the user as to the acceptable phrases.
+ Multimedia GUI with images and tooltips helping to indicate navigational functions. Navigation can be button based or menu based or verbal. Mouse dragging inside the virtual environment window is not implemented beyond MacLookat functions.
+ Accelerator keys and associated menu items. Apple-R for rotate,.....
+ Trackball rotation of the virtual environment. This is implemented but can give unusual results

Availability
------------------------------------

Available on request. The components to be released to requestors will depend upon their field of interest. It is anticipated that source for SimVRMLLookat, SimVRML RPT and the full API will be available for download from at least the OpenVRML site at sourceforge within 30 days.

In general, for this announcement, requestors will receive the double clickable SimVRMLLookat application for MacOS 9, the API or a SimVRMLLookat user's guide, and the standalone SuperCard double clickable SimVRML RPT application. Requestor's will also get a suite of virtual environments. I will start sending out files next Monday.

Future
------------------------------------

+ Enhance the API to handle EventIn's and EventOut's,....
+ Link SimVRMLLookat to OpenVRML 0.11.x (This should make trackball navigation more predictable)
+ Enhance SimVRML RPT
+ Embed OpenVRML as an Xcmd

Note: Technically, even teenagers can use SuperCard to make their own GUI for SimVRMLLookat. Also, if they use RoboLab from Lego Mindstormes then they could also use the API. SuperCard is cheap and Lego Mindstormes can be found in Toys-r-us.

Mailing List Specific Comments
------------------------------------

0) Looking for beta testers to check out the SC app before I just turn it loose on the MacUniverse. Note that since this is really just a C++ application for virtual reality viewing with an API for creating SuperCard apps that use the OpenGL viewer. So, in a sense there are no bugs, just odd, unfinished, useless or frustrating features. Try to break it. The functionality / useability of the API is of interest. So the question is, does the RPT's test GUI's frustrate you? If you have 3-D modeling apps feel free to export virtual environments and report on the success or failure of the load and the times taken. Also, try to navigate using speech and just see if it is very useful. You REALLY need a good microphone for PlainTalk / SC to give acceptable results.

You can download a free plug-in from those cool Russians at Parallel Graphics. The Cortona plug-in is for Netacspe and IE and you can compare it to SimVRMLLookat. SimVRMLLookat is an open Source standalone C++ app for Mac OS9. Cortona is a commercial plug-in.

1) The source forge site will do nicely for hosting the source. However, I will be trolling around for mirror sites. At least for the RPT and the SimVRMLLookat app. Chilton, is Dev HQ a good choice and available? The whole system is at minimum GPL as to license and the RPT would be freeware.

2) Outside of the design and useability of the RPT, the RPT does provide the most advanced VRML navigation functions for the open source VRML libraries for the Mac. So, just for viewing 3-D on the web it should be fun to test.

[11/20]

Web Provider to Host SuperCard Flamethrower Projects
John Johnston has informed us that a web provider known as Black Night Software has begun hosting Flamethrower projects. A Flamethrower account costs £5, in addition to a Black Night hosting package. Those interested should contact Stephen Thirlwell at Black Night. Black Night has added a Flamethrower guidelines page to their site, which is available here. Visit Flamethrower Resource for more Flamethrower news and info. [11/12]

Flamethrower Info and Examples at LittleFish Flamethrower
LittleFish Flamethrower is a page on LittleFish Software's website which provides information and tips for Flamethrower. Also listed on the page is a number of Flamethrower examples. Visit Flamethrower Resource for more Flamethrower news and info. [11/12]

iEvents 1.3 Improves HTML Output, Eliminates Bugs
YENCO.COM's iEvents is program written in SuperCard that creates custom calendar websites. New features in version 1.3 of iEvents, according to YENCO.COM, include:

• Improved HTML output for single month sites.
• Improved Type 1 Style selection preview.
• Improved Graphite Style.
• Fixed an obscure bug where splash screen would not close.
• Preview window now updates correctly when switching between single & multi-month settings.
• Updated help documentation.

iEvents allows customization of the look of calendars through styles. As mentioned above, iEvents ships with an improved Graphite style. A number of new styles are also now available for download on the iEvents styles page at YENCO.COM.

Click here for a screenshot of iEvents in action. A sample calendar which makes use of the Blackboard style can be found here. [download] [11/5]

Info Grabber Consumes SuperTalk Reserved Words
As of Info Grabber 1.5, Didier Gross' SuperTalk Reserved Words 2.0 has been integrated into Bob Nagele's Info Grabber, two tools which were designed to aid SuperCard developers.

Info Grabber is a project that provides information that SuperCard developers with information that they may need from "time-to-time."

As mentioned in the project, some of the information that Info Grabber provides includes:

• ASCII codes.
• ControlKey codes.
• ScanCode codes.
• NumToChar / CharToNum for ASCII and ControlKey codes and real-time testing for ScanCode values.
• SuperCard error codes.
• StandAlone Maker error codes.
• Reserved Words (through SuperTalk Reserved Words 2.0).
• Undocumented words.

[download] (Note: Membership to the SuperCard List is Required to download this file). [11/5]

Brief Downtime for DevHQ
DevHQ has been taken down for a day as its server will be moving to a new location, according to maintainer Chilton Webb. The source for Mac programming and development information should return tomorrow. [11/5]

"Swiss Army Knife" for Eudora Now Available
YAV has released Eudora Magician, a program written in SuperCard which assists Eudora users in managing their email and "enhances" the Eudora experience. According to YAV:

The software automatically creates filters, mailboxes, and nicknames (address book entries) with one click. You can generate hundreds of filters in the time it takes to construct one manually. Email Magician creates mailboxes to go with your new filters, and can also add new nicknames to your address book corresponding to your new mailboxes.

But it doesn't stop there. This "Swiss Army Knife" for Eudora® includes powerful spam filtering and comes with well over a hundred spam filters. Email Magician lets you organize and edit your filters, mailboxes, and nicknames too. The program also offers one-click archiving of mailboxes, as well as automated archiving of messages within mailboxes exceeding a specified message limit, or of entire mailboxes that haven't been modified within a certain time-period.

Email Magician introduces an intelligent Urgent Filter note-pad where you jot down phrases and email addresses that tell Email Magician to override existing filters and gather all your "to do" items into a single mailbox for quick disposition.

Email Magician automates many email "house-cleaning" chores one performs periodically -- besides message and mailbox archival, the software offers deletion of empty mailboxes and "orphan-filters," meaning filters targeting missing mailboxes, creation of filters and/or mailboxes for all nicknames in your address books, creation of "group" addresses for use with Eudora's "Intersects Nickname" options, and much more.

Eudora Magican is shareware. More information about Eudora Magician, including some screenshots, can be found at YAV's website. [download] [10/30]

Picture of WebbToys 2.0 Prerelease on DevHQ
A picture of a prerelease of WebbToys 2.0 running in the Mac OS X Classic Environment has been placed on DevHQ, Chilton Webb's source for Mac programming and development info. (DevHQ recently reopened to the public.) [image] [10/25]

Halloween Game for Primary Children Update for Halloween 2001
Halloween Poems, a game by LittleFish Software for primary children, has been updated to version 1.0.5 to include a few new features. The program will now export poems to JPEG. Additionally, the appearance of the program has been updated and a number of bugs have been squashed.

A screenshot of Halloween Poems can be found here. Some of the features of Halloween Poems include:

• Scary word bank; click on words to insert.
• Halloween Clip Art palette.
• Spooky sounds.
• Acrostics starter.

[download] Visit SuperCard Education for more educational packages written in SuperCard. [10/24]

New Features Added in Version 2.0 of SuperTalk Reserved Words
Didier Gross has released version 2.0 of his SuperTalk Reserved Words utility project. SuperTalk Reserved Words, sometimes referred to as simply STRW, allows easy access to a list of reserved words in SuperCard's Project Editor. According to Mr. Gross, the new features in this version of STRW include:

• Design improvements (Mac OS 8 utility palettes, optional use of TF Avian buttons, ...)
• Resisable window
• Word count
• Separation lines are provided in the "all" list
• When manually collapsed, the window is reduced to a small one, instead of the menu bar, making it easier to find
• The default behavior is auto-collapse when SuperTalk Reference is launched
• Import function, allowing the user to update the word list when IncWell publishes a new one
• Search function, which allows for example searching quickly all reserved words containing "hotSpot". AFAIK, there is currently no other way to identify these words, even with the procedural index of the excellent SLG.

STRW is "supportSuperCardWare." The tool does not cost anything. However, if you use it, then please help promote SuperCard. SuperCard Reserved Words 2.0 can be found in the Files area of the SuperCard List at Yahoo! Groups. [10/21]

Mystery Project to be Announced by Didier Gross Soon
Didier Gross has informed SCR that he intends to replace SuperTalk Reserved Words in the next few weeks by a much more interesting project. More information will reported as it becomes available. [10/21]

Final Version of WebsiteCompressor v3 Now Available
After a brief period of public beta testing, Blue Line Studios has now released the final version of WebsiteCompressor v3, as reported by MacCentral.

WebsiteCompressor streamlines HTML code generated by WYSIWYG HTML editors, as most of these programs add unneeded code and comments which adds to the file size of HTML documents.

MacCentral reports that the following changes have been made in version 3.0:

• Full drag and drop support.
• Entire folders dropped on the main window will now be accepted.
• The program will handle JavaScript and CSS code more carefully.
• A bug has been fixed where an image compression oddity would occur when running in 8-bit mode.
• Drops when used in the OS X Classic Environment will no longer cause the OS to freeze.

WebsiteCompressor is shareware. More information about the program is available at Blue Line Studios's website. [download] [10/18]

Rejuvenation of DevHQ Begins
DevHQ, Chilton Webb's source for Mac programming and development info, has partially reopened after being closed for several months. A PDF file has been put up to explain the planned features and focus of the site for when the completed version of the site becomes available.

As also mentioned in the PDF, DevHQ will begin to sell tutorial VHS/DVDs for certain developer tools. Since the file states that the sale of such tutorials will begin in late September and it does not appear that such tutorials are currently available, it is not known exactly when they will be available.

SCR will update you on the progress of DevHQ and the availability of the tutorial VHS/DVDs as information becomes available. [10/16]

Testers Wanted for Beta Version of New Website Compressor
WebsiteCompressor v3 is a program created in SuperCard by Blue Line Studios that was designed to streamline code created by WYSIWYG HTML editors:

WebsiteCompressor is a tool to streamline HTML code generated by WYSIWYG-HTML editor applications. Most of them add lots of characters to format or comment HTML code they generate. These unnecessary data, although ignored by the browser applications, has still to be transferred between servers. WebsiteCompressor will analyze the code and carefully remove superfluous chars.

The app also features image converting/recompressing capabilities, including batch converting of image files from various formats to JPEG.

Those interested in beta testing the new program should click here. Version 2.0, previously released, can be found here. [10/9]

New Beta for Eudora Magician Now Available
YAV has released beta four of its "Swiss Army Knife" for Eudora. YAV hopes to be able to release the program by the end of the week. [download] [10/9]

"Swiss Army Knife" for Eudora on its Way
YAV has developed Eudora Magician, a utility developed in SuperCard which enhances your Eudora experience. According to the maintainer of YAV, Christopher Yavelo:

I've used SuperCard to develop a utility for Eudora called Email Magician. it helps manage filters, mailboxes, nicknames, spam, archiving, etc. Sort of a "Swiss Army knife" for Eudora. I've even taken care of some of the wish list items that I read in the archives on the Eudora List, and a group of people on that list tested the first two betas last week.

I'm planning to release this utility very, very soon (like as soon as I finish the web site). It struck me that because I developed this in SuperCard (in less than six weeks by the way!), perhaps some other SuperCard developers might notice some bugs that have escaped the testers from the Eudora list. Thus, I'm inviting Eudora users from this list to test the product too.

This software has a couple of "levels" -- In many cases it's a "one-button solution" (that's why there is one huge button on the interface <grin>) so, on the one hand, I'm looking for novices to Eudora who'd rather only need to press a single button to get everything done. On the other hand, if one digs deeper in the software, there are tools for even the most advanced Eudora user. With this in mind, I'm also looking for some people with extremely heavy and high volume usage, particularly those whose inboxes and outboxes may have gotten "out of control" -- the "email overload" syndrome.

More information information about Email Magician can be found here. [10/6]

Math Worksheet Maker Now Includes Support for Decimals
Worksheet Maker is a SuperCard-based application by LittleFish Software which creates worksheets for primary mathematics. Version 2.2 adds the ability to create decimal worksheets. The latest version also fixes bugs with printing and the registration process. A bug which caused the program to quit unexpectedly when clicking the zoombox of a window was also fixed.

Worksheet Maker 2.2 is a free update to existing customers. Visit the Worksheet Maker page at LittleFish Software's site for more information. Visit SuperCard Education for more educational packages written in SuperCard. [download] [10/3]

Program Information Manager Updated To Include New Features
iKeeper, a SuperCard-based program by YENCO.COM which enables users to store information about their programs, has been updated to version 1.2. According to YENCO.COM, new features in this version include:

• An improved startup process.
• Button bar control integration into the top of windows.
• A text based file format with automatic conversion of old iKeeper documents.
• Improved automatic save routine, improved automatic text formatting in fields.
• An updated shareware registration system.

Click here to see a screenshot of iKeeper in action. Visit YENCO.COM for more information about iKeeper and their other products. [download] [10/1]

Proj Pal and Button Toy Revised to Fix Bugs, Add Features
LittleFish Software has updated two of their newest projects, Proj Pal and Button Toy, to fix a couple of initial bugs. Proj Pal also received a few new features.

For Proj Pal, a bug was fix where a project would be removed from the pop-up menu if a folder was dropped twice on to a button. Proj Pal now gives better user feedback on a drop and also includes a preference for allowing the floating window to be shown when the program is in the background, which is accomplished through a SuperCard Global Property. [download]

Button Toy has received a minor fix to eliminate a bug where clicking the slider back and not dragging would fail to update the within field. [download] [9/30]

Create Aqua-style Buttons for SuperCard
LittleFish Software has released Button Toy, a SuperCard project which will create Aqua-style buttons using graphics. According to LittleFish:

This project makes SuperCard Graphics which act as buttons. They are 'Aqua' Type buttons, but the principal could be extended to other sort of button. The pictureData of the 'buttons' created is of the up and down states, the source rect of the pictureData is controlled from the script installed in the graphic.

Using SourceRect for up and down states has some advantages over hiding showing graphics or playing a film, I think. Could be easily extended to other styles of 'buttons' if I had any graphic skills, contributions welcome.

[download] [9/25]

Gain Quick Access to Your SuperCard Projects
Proj Pal is a new project by LittleFish Software that allows SuperCard developers to easily access other SuperCard projects. The project consists of a series of pop-up buttons which each store aliases of different projects specified by the user. Projects can be added by a file dialog or by drag and drop. [download] [9/25]

Testers Wanted for Updated Version of Image Map Program
Illuminator Software is looking for testers for an updated version of iMapp, their image map creation program which was written in SuperCard. Those interested should sign up here. Note that the server that is hosting the sign-up process many not be up during certain hours. Update: Illuminator Software had received reports that the URL leading to the sign up page was not responding. As a result, Illuminator has changed the URL to this address. [9/22, updated]

Is SuperCard Running in OS X Classic or OS 9?
(Repost, Updated) Bruce Martin posted a few tests on the SuperCard List for testing to see if SuperCard is running under the Mac OS X Classic Environment or if it is running under the standard Mac OS 9. The first test would be to use the following AppleScript:

tell application "Finder"

return application processes

end tell

The listed processes would be different, depending on whether OS X or OS 9 was the system that was running. For example, processes such as "Classic Environment" would only show up if running under OS X.

Another option, according to Mr. Martin, would be to call the built-in Programs function. As with the AppleScript, the list will be different, depending on which OS is running. [9/19]

New SuperCard Utility Provides Info for Developers
Image Grabber is a new utility that provides SuperCard Developers with information that they may need from "time-to-time." Some of the information that Image Grabber provides includes:

• Ascii codes
• ControlKey codes
• ScanCode codes
• Comparative side-by-side list of all three
• NumToChar/CharToNum for Ascii & ControlKey codes, and real-time testing for ScanCode values.
• SuperCard error codes
• StandAlone Maker error codes
• Reserved words
• SharedFile (virgin) resources

Image Grabber will run will run in the Project Editor if installed in the Utilities folder of the SC Pouch. It will also run in Tangerine or independent of any editor. [download] [9/17]

SuperCard WebRing Now Accepting New Members
John Johnston, the new ringmaster of the SuperCard WebRing, has dropped us a line to inform us that the SuperCard WebRing is now accepting new members.

In addition, all members with broken links were recently suspended from the ring. Once the members fix their links, they can be re-added to the ring. [9/17]

YENCO.COM Releases Blackboard Style for iEvents
After learning that iEvents was popular among schools and educators, YENCO.COM has created a new Blackboard theme for iEvents. (Click here for a screenshot.) This will be the first of many free iEvents themes, according to YENCO.COM.

iEvents is a package which quickly creates custom calendar websites. [download] [9/4]

New WebRing Member Reveals Another SuperCard Developer
Being the first new member to the revived SuperCard WebRing (see separate story), JSC's Page on SuperCard contains four additional projects in the SuperCard world:

• Characters: "You see a human figure composed of three independent parts: head, body and legs. You can exchange them with those of other characters, making funny combinations."
• HangMan: Standard HangMan game
• Tic Tac Toe: Classic game revived in SuperCard.
• Building Blocks: "Children game for building simple structures from simpler blocks. But you can combine them to form complex ones, copy and paste them, resize, group and ungroup, add pages to your book, etc.

[9/4]

More Info on Revised SuperCard WebRing
After taking over control of the SuperCard WebRing (see separate story), John Johnston has already made some additional improvements to the webring. Mainly, the webring homepage has been updated to reflect changes that Yahoo! made to the webring system when they took over.

John Johnston has also been working on a small project which will create an image map link box for members of the webring. [9/4]

Have Your SuperCard Product Included on an Upcoming CD
MacintoshProducts.com, a developer who uses SuperCard, has decided to put together a CD featuring all of their products. Since their was still space on the CD for additional files, MacintoshProducts.com decided to include a collection of SuperCard based software from other developers. The developer found this to be a "win-win" situation for everyone:

I believe this will be a win-win situation for everyone: myself, because my disk will have a greater perceived value, and other developers, because they will have another (free) distribution system for their product demo's. This will also help to raise the profile of SuperCard in general, because only SuperCard created applications will be included.

Developers who are interested in having their SuperCard based product included on the CD should contact Eric Rojo. [8/22]

The SuperCard Webring Returns to the Web, Changes Ownership
After a period of broken links and inactivity, the SuperCard Webring has returned. Now maintained by John Johnston, the aim is to eliminate the dead links and to start adding new members eventually. [8/22]

Yet Another SuperCard Developer In Existence
MacintoshProducts.com is responsible for three programs, all built in SuperCard.

• Digital Diary is a record keeper for business and personal projects and special events.
• MetricMaster is a measurement unit conversion software for Home, Science, and Business.
• MacHeliodon is a "sun shadow calculator for architects, building designers, solar engineers, photographers, movie producers, gardeners, and everyone else needing to know the position of the sun and the resulting shadow at any given time, date, and place on earth."

All of these files are now listed in the files section of this website. [8/22]

Valentina XCMD Adds "Blowfish" Encryption, Other Features
The Valentina XCMD, a database solution, has been updated to version 1.8.9 to include a few new features. Some of these features include:

ZIP Compression of BLOB Objects. This feature allows BLOB objects to be compressed using the popular ZIP format, saving up to three to five times of space, allowing a much greater amount of data to be stored on removable media. ZIP compression all takes place on the fly, in RAM. Compressed BLOB/Text can still be searched, even while compressed.

448 bit Blowfish Encryption. Valentina databases can now make use of one of the most popular and powerful encryption methods available, Blowfish. A Valentina developer can encrypt: one or more tables, one or more fields, entire Valentina databases, or a Valentina database file (.vdb) with database structure, so that other Valentina based programs cannot open it.

[download] [8/22]

Reconnector Connects & Reconnects to AppleShare Servers
Reconnector 1.1 is a utility built in SuperCard which was designed to connect and reconnect to AppleShare servers. The program can run in two different modes: server mode and user mode.

The purpose of the server mode is to keep computers that need to be connected to a certain fileserver stay connected. Reconnector will attempt to reconnect to the fileserver in the event that the computer is disconnected. Server mode can also mount server volumes at startup. This prevents a problem from occurring between Keychain and Mac OS 9.x.

User mode allows for every user of a computer to connect to all of the user's servers using one command. The program remembers all of the necessary passwords.

Reconnector is available as a free demo and will run for about fourteen days. Note that the application is password protected inside a Stuffit archive and users will need to request the password from the developer, Dan Berghult, to unstuff the program. [download] [8/17]

Beta Version of New MP3 Playlist Maker Now Available
Jukester is a new SuperCard-based program by the Vortex which creates playlists for the Archos Jukebox 6000 and Jukebox Recorder MP3 players. The program was created because the Mac OS version of the MP3 software that comes included with those players does not have the ability to create playlists.

Jukester has the ability to import existing playlists from iTunes and Audion, another MP3 software program. In addition, tracks can be previewed directly from the Jukebox when it is connected to the Mac.

For those who do not have a Jukebox player but would like to try the beta, it is possible to have Jukester point to an ordinary hard drive (rather than the Jukebox "drive") and then use the program from there.

This page at the Vortex describes how to use Jukester. [download] [8/15]

VRML Tool Set in the Works for Use With SuperCard
A modified version of the OpenVRML virtual reality libraries is being developed to allow the libraries to work with SuperCard. From the developer:

It allows for Speech control of the Macintosh OpenVRML Viewer for virtual worlds. It also allows for control of the viewer using Apple Events so SuperCard can be used to prototype GUI's for the OpenVRML viewer. The SimVRML (modified OpenVRML) Viewer responds to basic navigation commands such as rotate, tilt, pitch, walk, slide and home. Also, toggling of wireframe mode, textures, lighting and transparency.

The developer also provided some additional notes about SimVRML:

There is also the source and an example prototype of a VRML GUI. The modified version is version 0.10.1 of the OpenVRML libraries. The OpenVRML macintosh libraries are modified to work with SC. You probably also need AppleGL and the AppleGL SDK. You probably also need some 3D modelers with VRML 97 export or at least a dxf or lwo or 3ds or obj to VRML convertor, photoshop and Codewarrior Pro 5 (if you want to play with the C++ source).

SCR will let you know when the program is released. [8/13]

SuperCard Created Text Editor for Programmers Rediscovered
Released back in 1998, DevEdit 2.0 is a text editor for programmers that was designed in SuperCard. The idea of the program was to prevent the need to open large programming applications. Some of the features of DevEdit include:

• ASCII chart
• Advanced rect maker utility
• Smarts tabs
• Smarts new lines
• Code library
• Calculator
• Clippings manager

A screenshot of the program is available here. DevEdit was written by Louis Chartrand and is shareware. For more information concerning DevEdit, please visit its web page. [download] [8/5]

Minor Update to File Type Jig Now Available
LittleFish Software's File Type Jig 1.0.7 is a SuperCard project which can view and modify file and creator types. The new version fixes a glitch where the project would not correctly set the correct file type if it ended in a space, such as "SPA ". In addition, the project will now work without registration for an unlimited time. [download] [7/26]

SuperTalk-based Array Function Posted to the SuperCard List
Bruce Martin, maintainer of Illuminator Software, has posted a function to the SuperCard List which acts as a single dimensional array structure. The function is written in SuperTalk without making any use of externals. The function can be found in this thread of the list. (SuperCard List membership required.) [7/25]

3D Graphics Program for Kids Created in SuperCard
GroBoto is a new 3D drawing, modeling, and painting program designed for kids. The program allows kids to create animations, simulations, and other creations. From GroBoto's website:

GroBoto is an intuitive 3D art tool, providing an environment where learning occurs naturally through the playful pursuit of cool images.

GroBotos tools provide easy, real-time access to the three dimensional world. They allow for the natural flow of curiosity, leading to a deeper understanding of Spacial Concepts, Mathematics, Algorithmic Art, Animation, Artificial Life, Chaos, and Complexity.

More information about GroBoto, including a couple of screenshots of the program, can be found at the program's website. Visit SuperCard Education for more educational packages written in SuperCard. [demo] [7/22]

Update to The Codebook Adds New Features, Fixes Bugs
According to VersionTracker, The Codebook has been updated to version 4.0.4. Changes in the new version include:

• Forum button added - A button to easily access the forum has now been added to the interface.
• Change pages-bug - A bug that made it impossible to change pages when the window was resized is now fixed.
• Creating skins guide - Now ships with documentation on how to create and edit skins for Codebook 4.
• Info window fix - The information window now stays updated when you switch between plugins.
• Minor bugs and fixes.

The Codebook is a shareware utility that acts as a repository for cheats, walkthroughs, and other gaming aids. More information can be found at The Codebook team's website. Visit SuperCard Games for more game and edutainment packages written in SuperCard. [download] [7/20]

YENCO.COM Makes a Number of Improvements to Agenda 2
Agenda is a "round, virtual device which can greet you, tell you the current date, read off your scheduled events for the day and remind you of pending items on your to-do list." A number of improvements have been made in Agenda 2.2:

• Improved cut, copy and paste.
• Improved drag & drop support.
• Context-aware help system updated.
• Improved virtual battery indicator.
• Improved virtual plastic/metal prefs.
• Updated shareware registration system.
• Several under-the-hood changes.

Agenda 2.2 is shareware. More information about Agenda can be found at YENCO.COM's website. [download] [7/16]

SuperCard Resource Opens an Education Channel
SuperCard Resource today has opened a new site channel. Known as SuperCard Education, the new site, not surprisingly, is dedicated to the education sector of SuperCard. The channel displays the latest education news and list every educational program designed in SuperCard that we are aware of in the education files section. We would like to thank John Johnston, maintainer of LittleFish Software, for suggesting the creation of such a channel.

SCR has also made some various changes to the site design, many which were based on suggestions by Mike Yenco, who is responsible for the YENCO.COM line of software. Our thanks goes out to him. [7/11]

Ultimate Calendar Fixed to Address Issues
Ultimate Calendar, a SuperCard project that allows developers to implement calendars directly into their projects, has been updated to version 1.4 to fix a number of issues with the previous version. Some of the scripts have been modified to improve performance and an unused external was removed from the project. [download] [7/6]

YENCO.COM Fixes All Known Issues with iEvents
Mike Yenco, maintainer of YENCO.COM, has informed us that, with the release of iEvents 1.2 (see separate story), all reported issues with the new new program have been resolved, according to user feedback sent to YENCO.COM. [7/5]

YENCO.COM Releases Another Update to iEvents
iEvents 1.2 was released by YENCO.COM to to fix a bug where the file read/write process would sometimes overwrite data. Additionally, the context-aware help system "?" buttons were updated in this version.

iEvents is YENCO.COM's shareware package for creating custom calendar websites. More information about iEvents is available at their website. [download] [7/3]

New Easy-to-Use Graphic Viewer Designed in SuperCard
Bob Nagele has released Image Manager, a new SuperCard project which acts as an easy-to-use graphics viewer and exporter:

The file (Image Manager) is a very ease-to-use graphic viewer, with a multitude of exporting and management capabilities. As an application it supports dropping folders, disks, and a variety of graphic files. I have uploaded it as a project. If you run it as a project, all features are supported except, of course, the 'drop' capacity. There are no buttons. All navigation is by means of the arrow keys or slideshow.

For those of you who wish to convert this project into an application capable of accepting drops from disks, folders & image files, I have provided a configuration file for use with Standalone Maker. Thanks to John Johnston for the idea to include the configuration file.

As it is currently set, it builds a "Fat" development application capable of being edited. There are seven document types, so perhaps you wish to add another or whatever.

As an application the scripting supports the Message Box, standard control-key script accessing, and other standard script accessing. (see the Tech notes if you download the file and wish to build an application.)

Image Manager is freeware. The project is available in the files section of the SuperCard List. Note that you will have to log-in to a Yahoo! Groups account that has SuperCard List membership to be able to download the file. [download] [7/2]

iEvents Update Improves Auto Save Feature, Fixes Bugs
iEvents, YENCO.COM's recently released program for creating custom calendar websites (see separate story), has been updated to version 1.1 to fix a few bugs and introduce a few enhancements.

The following has changed in the new version:

• Auto save process updated to prevent data loss.
• Fixed error with Build Site menu item.
• Cut, copy and paste enabled in all fields.
• Drag & Drop support added to all fields.
• Header arrows now appear in site output.
• Cell icons now appear in site output.
• Improved Basic style.

[download] [7/2]

YENCO.COM Replaces iCalendar with iEvents 1.0
As reported sometime ago (see separate story), YENCO.COM has been working on iEvents, a new program which would replace their iCalendar package. The first version of iEvents is now available and, according to YENCO.COM, fits the following description:

iEvents is a powerful client-side tool for quickly creating custom calendar websites that can then be easily uploaded to any internet server or iDisk. It is ideal for individuals, schools, user groups, or any organization that wants to share their calendar of events online. iEvents is compatible with Mac OS 9 and the Mac OS X Classic Environment.

Key features of iEvents include:

• Generates single or multiple month calendar websites.
• Date & Time control panel aware.
• Multi-function controls palette.
• WYSIWYG Preview and edit in a single window.
• Style documents to change calendar appearance.
• Software update feature for registered users.
• Context-aware help system using Apple Help Viewer.
• External preference storage.
• And much more!

iEvents is shareware $20. Visit the iEvents products page at YENCO.COM for more information. [download] [6/30]

"Stickies" for SuperCard Now Available
LittleFish Software has released SC Stickies, a project which allows SuperCard developers to use "stickies" within their projects. New stickies are created by dragging them from the SC Stickies palette to the project in development.

Once created, a sticky can be manipulated using the following techniques, according to LittleFish:

• To move a sticky- Command drag
• To resize a sticky - Command drag the bottom right corner
• To type in a sticky- click it
• To delete a sticky option-shift-click [Thanks to Mike Richards]
• To alter the color- option hold and if you haven't changed your sharedfile Script you get a color popup.

SC Stickies has been in testing for the past few weeks (see separate story). Since then, preferences have been added for manipulating text, font, and color. Also, it is now possible to delete a sticky using the the "option-shift-click" combination, as mentioned above.

SC Stickies is "commentware." More information about SC Stickies and other products from LittleFish Software can be found at their website. [download] [6/25]

Make Decisions with Flip a Coin
CompleatMac Software has released Flip a Coin, a new program developed in SuperCard that acts as virtual quarter:

What?

Flip a coin gives you a virtual quarter to flip on your Mac, even when you're out of change. A boon for the chronically indecisive.

Why?

One day I needed to make a decision and found myself without a coin to flip. Reluctantly, I made my own choice. But the need for a virtual quarter to flip became obvious.

Flip a Coin is freeware, although a donation is requested from the developer. More information about Flip a Coin and other products by CompleatMac Software can be found at their website. Visit SuperCard Games for more game and edutainment packages written in SuperCard. [download] [6/22]

Dhamma By Numbers Released as a Gift of Dhamma
Dhamma By Numbers is the latest addition to CompleatMac Software's Dhamma-oriented line of programs written in SuperCard:

In the Buddha's teachings, many aspects of the doctrine are taught in the form of numbered lists (eg. 4 Noble Truths, 5 aggregates, 4 foundations of mindfulness). "Dhamma By Numbers" is an application for helping to learn and memorize these Buddhist doctrinal terms.

More information about Dhamma By Numbers can be found at its product page from CompleatMac Software's website. Visit SuperCard Games for more game and edutainment packages written in SuperCard. [download] [6/22]

SuperTalk Reserved Words on SuperCard Suite
The newly-released SuperTalk Reserved Words 1.2 (see separate story) has been added to the Utilities section of the File Library provided on the official IncWell SuperCard Suite website, making the project the first third party utility to be added to the section.

STRW was also uploaded to the IncWell FTP server, making it now possible to download the file without having to log-in to the SuperCard List. [download] [6/21]

SuperTalk Reserved Words Enhanced With New Features
SuperTalk Reserved Words 1.2 is a SuperCard project by Didier Gross that allows easy access to a list of reserved words in SuperCard's Project Editor (or Tangerine).

The new version includes the following enhancements:

• The scripts now fulfill requirements of the SuperCard Technical Note #13, regarding utilities projects. The window now reacts to the Collapse Palettes item of the Tools menu of the Project Editor.
• If the SuperTalk Reference help project is not open, SuperTalk Reserved Words opens it for you the first time you click a word in the list.

We have put up a web page created by Mr. Gross which futher explains the abilities and usefullness of STRW.

SuperTalk Reserved Words is "supportSuperCardWare," meaning that it is asked that users of STRW spend time promoting SuperCard, although the project itself does not cost anything. The project is available in the files section of the SuperCard List. Note that you will have to log-in to a Yahoo! Groups account that has SuperCard List membership to be able to download the file. Update: The downloaded location nolonger requires membership to the SuperCard List. [download] [6/20, updated 6/21]

Ultimate Calendar Updated to Support International Dates
Ultimate Calendar, a project by Doug Denby that allows SuperCard developers to implement calendars directly into their projects, has been updated to version 1.3 to include support for international dates. The new version also included some other minor enhancements. [download] [6/20]

Standalone Shrink Posted on the SuperCard Listed
Standalone Shrink is a project by Kurt Kaufman that reduces the size of SuperCard standalones by removing nonessential resources from the application.

SuperTalk Reserved Words is freeware. The project is available in the files section of the SuperCard List. Note that you will have to log-in to a Yahoo! Groups account that has SuperCard List membership to be able to download the file. [download] [6/20, updated]

More SuperCard Files
We have recently become aware of a few more SuperCard files that were not listed in the File Guide.

The first set of files includes a few products from YAV:

• Meta Tag Manager 2.0.1: A program that fine-tunes and optimizes a document's meta tags.
• Spike 1.7.1: A batch-processing data-spike detection and analysis tool for QuickTime movies.
• SuperCard VooDoo 1.0: Provides information about YAV's RAD Tools
• FormatScript 1.6 XCFN: Formats scripts passed to it.
• SCexternals 1.0: A collection of musical XCFNs.
• PushBtnBack 2.1a: Generates new minuets in the style of Bach when the "Compose" button is pressed.
• CyberMozart 3.1: Generates pieces in the style of Mozart when the "Compose" button is pressed.
• YAVshow 1.1: Demonstrates some of the things YAV had done a few years ago.
• INTstaller Demo 1.0: Configures Internet settings for older systems. A Dutch version is also available.
• MMSB Index 1.0: A complete index to the first edition of the Macworld Music & Sound Bible.
• MMSB Glossary 1.0: The MacMusician's glossary that was removed from the Macworld Music & Sound Bible.

The second set of files includes products from Lars Projects (Norres SuperCard):

• Flowers and Colors: An edutainment package that improves your skills for blending color CMYK.
• Battle of Britannia: A board-game which resembles Risk.
• The Magic drum: A program which forecasts the future.

[6/13]

Feedback for SuperCard Stickies Requested
John Johnston has been experimenting with a simple project that implements "Stickies fields" directly into SuperCard projects. Mr. Johnston mentioned that this concept would be especially useful for making notes at runtime.

According to Mr. Johnston, SuperCard Stickies works as followed:

• To add a sticky to your project you just drag them from the the palette.
• To move a sticky- Command drag
• To resize a sticky - Command drag the bottom right corner
• To type in a sticky- click it
• To alter the color- option hold and if you haven't changed your sharedfile Script you get a color popup.

Please forward any comments or suggestions that you may have for SC Stickies to John Johnston. Also, if you interested in previewing a copy of SC Stickies, email Mr. Johnston and he will then send back the file as an email attachment. [6/11]

Two More SuperCard Developers Discovered
John Johnston, maintainer of LittleFish Software, notified SCR of two additional SuperCard developers that we were previously unaware of.

The first developer, Infamous Basement, has developed a number of utilities ranging from XML development all the way to sending email to wireless phone accounts:

• XML Helper: A "goofy little XML editor" which was designed to quickly write XML code.
• SMS Sender: Quickly sends messages to a wireless phone account.
• Ping Server: Monitors a specific server. The program pings the server at specified intervals.
• SimpleTimer: A timekeeping program that stores the time spend working on user-specified projects in text files.
• AnyMail: Checks a POP account for existing mail without the need to open an email program.

The second developer, Useful Software, offers a number of programs. Most of their products focus on Music and Education:

• SimpleSong: Allows songs to easily be created and played back using any text-to-speech compatible program.
• BitMapMusic: A music notation program for writing a few lines of music.
• KKGames: Consists of five games for children: WordSpell, MosaicPatterns, ColorShapes, Five-In-a-Row, and PlayNotes.
• RandomNotes: Creates random sequences of user-selected pitches. The notes are entered by a virtual keyboard provided on the screen.
• FolderWatcher: Keeps track of the size of various folders on a given volume.
• TypingPractice: A simple typing program which prompts for single letters.
• Write-a-Letter: A simple template for creating mailable letters.

[6/11]

Website Opens for Ultimate Calendar
Doug Denby, creator of Ultimate Calendar (see separate story), has opened up a website for Ultimate Calendar. The new site can be found here. [download] [6/8]

Implement a Calendar Directly into Your SuperCard Project
Ultimate Calendar is a new project by Doug Denby that is actually a field and not an application. As a result, the calendar can easily be implemented into any other SuperCard project:

It presents a date in a field with the ability to quickly ...

• alter days of the month by simple clicking
• select the previous and next months by clicking
• select the previous and next years by clicking
• select a month from a popUpMenu
• select a year from a decade from a popUpMenu
• select the current date
• set the date from script
• get the date from script

Ultimate Calendar is freeware and available in the files section of the SuperCard List. Note that you will have to log-in to a Yahoo! Groups account that has SuperCard List membership to be able to download the file. [download] [6/7]

URL Jig Updated to Include New Features
URL Jig 1.0.6, a SuperCard project from LittleFish Software, allows you to easily store and organize URLs. The software is drag-and-drop compatible. As of the new version, URL Jig now exports pages of links within URL Jig to HTML files. Also, the project now includes an "Open URL" button and now URLs require a double click to launch.

Other new features include:

• Added notify if in BG and drop list of URLs.
• Added menu keys for new cd and delete cd.
• Fixed red lines when added after comments.
• Fixed export comments problem.
• Various bugs fixed.

URL Jig is free if used with the full version SuperCard but shareware $5 if used with SuperCard Player. Visit the URL Jig page at LittleFish Software for more information concerning the product. [download] [5/28]

Solve Your Problems With Oblique Strategies SC
Oblique Strategies is a new project by LittleFish Software that offers creative ways for solving problems:

The Oblique Strategies are sets of cards by Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt and seem to be for creative problem solving, the idea was you draw a gnomic phrase from the deck of cards to get out of a bind or whatever...

The project makes use of Widget, creating a unique interface. Oblique Strategies is freeware. Visit SuperCard Games for more game and edutainment packages written in SuperCard. [download] [5/28]

XXL Updated to Include New Features; Internal Restructuring
XXL 3.6.3 is a package by Stephane Leys that adds a complete spreadsheet environment to SuperCard 3.6.3.

According to the XXL website, the package includes a number of new features:

• Indentation of expressions entered in the input box. This feature makes complex expressions much more readable.
• New time functions: AddMonth(date) and AddYear(date).
• A few functions, such as the count function, have altered.

In addition to the above features, XXL was internally restructured to remove some underlying limitations of the package and to speed up certain tasks.

A number of bug fixes have also been addressed in this version:

• A bug which made a complete mess of real numbers when sorting. This was a side effect of changing the real numbers from 4 to 8 bytes. Only the 4 lower bytes were sorted.
• A bug in the Mean function when the first argument was a reference to an empty cell.
• Unlocking cells with shiftKey in the "display formats" palette didn't work
• A bug which could cause various problems including freezes or even crashes when deleting or inserting a selection made from the bottom (instead of the top) or the right (instead of the left).
• Insertions with command-arrow.in the last row or column was temporarily disabled after an input had been made.
• A bunch of update bugs especially the active cell or selected zone. And also updates of an object which had been scrolled with a palette above.
• The algorithm for managing downstream references could sometimes (rarely) skid and fill up the whole heap in a few seconds.

More information about XXL and other products by Stephane Leys can be found at his website. [download] [5/27]

PhotoCat Updated to Version 3.4.1
As first reported by AppleLinks, PhotoCat has been updated to version 3.4.1 and PhotoCat Player has been updated to version 2.4.1. PhotoCat is a SuperCard-created program which was designed to build picture catalogs easily.

The new version includes the following bug fixes:

• The "marked thumbnails" update works while deleting a thumbnail correctly.
• "Restore" the catalog is more powerful.
• The edit function of the "Modify the Indexation" window works correctly.
• Adding a serial number works correctly.

In addition, the player includes the following new features:

• PhotoCat can play a sound at the end of a long job. The General Preference lets the user chooses this option.
• The Slide Show lets you add a caption to every images.
• The "Import the Indexation" item of the "Catalog" menu lets you retrieve the indexation from an item list file. It can be very useful with PhotoDisc volumes or with other cataloger applications.

More information can be found at the PhotoCat website. [download] [5/20]

Search Engine Now Available for iMac.MacintoshDeveloper.com
Chilton Webb has written a search engine for iMac.MacintoshDeveloper.com, a huge file archive containing a number of search code archives. Some of the archives include: "Alt.Sources.Mac archive, the entire AOL SuperCard SIG archive, and two Celestin Apprentice CDs." In addition, some of Mr. Webb's unfinished software can be found in the archive. [5/20]

SCLive Agenda for May 1st
Bruce Martin and iMac.MacintoshDeveloper.com will be hosting their weekly SCLive chat session tonight (Tuesday) at 10 PM EST. According to Mr. Martin:

This week on SCLive we will jump into the topic of Update notification of software, you create in SuperCard. Apple has the Software Updater which works great for finding the latest versions of OS Software, but how can you build something like that into your SuperCard application?

Find out the secrets of how to Notify the user of new updates to software. In some cases this can be an automatic update and as long as you have designed your project correctly you can completely replace the old version with the new version without losing any of the users important data.

This will be of great benefit for both old and new users of SuperCard.

To join the chat, use the 'Connect' item in the 'Hotline' menu (of Hotline) and type in the following url: imac.macintoshdeveloper.com. [5/1]

Worksheet Maker Updated to Version 2.1
Worksheet Maker is a program by LittleFish Software that creates worksheets for Primary Mathematics. New in the latest version:

• Add choice of number of sums per sheet to main worksheets.
• Fixed a bug that printed blanks with some types of sheet, if preview was not used.

[download] [5/1, updated]

Illuminator Software Releases iMapp 1.1
iMapp is a tool by Illuminator Software that easily creates image maps. The new version of iMapp adds help files and fixes various bugs from the previous release of the program, including a glitch in the import Map feature. [form] [5/1, updated]

LittleFish Software Releases Preview of a "Wee SC Utility"
PD Rotate is a small utility that rotates the picture data of a SuperCard Graphic. The project makes use of Rinaldai's PictTransform external.

LittleFish would appreciate any feedback and/or bug reports before a final version of the utility is released. [download] [5/1]

SuperTalk Reserved Words 1.0 Released
SuperTalk Reserved Words 1.0 is a project that allows easy access to a list of reserved words in SuperCard:

Drop this little project (less than 80 kB) in the SC Pouch:Utilities: folder and you'll have the list of all ST reserved words quickly available within the Project Editor or Tangerine, from the Utilities menu.

Clicking on a word will send it to the SuperTalk Reference.

This product is supportSuperCardWare :)
If you use it, you're supposed to spend a few time promoting SC.

SuperCard Reserved Words 1.0 can be found in the Files area of the SuperCard List at Yahoo! Groups. [4/29]

SCLive Agenda for April 24th
Bruce Martin and iMac.MacintoshDeveloper.com will be hosting their weekly SCLive chat session tonight (Tuesday) at 10 PM EST. According to Mr. Martin:

Tonight on SCLive we will tackle your SuperCarding problems. Ask a question and get answers from not only the moderator, but anyone who attends. Ask questions like how do I make the background scroll for a side scrolling game and get answers that will send you well on your way to making the next killer game. Ask a question like, how do I export the styled text of a field to HTML, and get an answer that will be sure to help you out.

This will be of great benefit for both old and new users of SuperCard.

To join the chat, use the 'Connect' item in the 'Hotline' menu (of Hotline) and type in the following url: imac.macintoshdeveloper.com. [4/24]

LittleFish Software Rewrites ScreenCloze, Adds New Features
ScreenCloze 2.0 is a program created in SuperCard that can be used to create onscreen cloze procedure passages, as well as solutions to the passages. LittleFish has focused the program toward use in a primary school classroom setting, specifically for students with extra need of language help during the "early years".

Version 2.0 has been completely rewritten from previous versions. In addition, the following new features and enhancements have been made:

• Support for multiple fonts, sizes and colors in ScreenCloze Document.
• Two methods of creating blanks, clicking and Drag and Drop
• Improved Editing environment
• Can print worksheets from any ScreenCloze document.
• Documents resizing fixed.
• Improved record keeping.

Visit LittleFish Software's website for more information concerning ScreenCloze or other products that LittleFish has developed. [download] [4/23]

LittleFish Software Opens New Website
LittleFish Software, known for their SuperCard-based Educational Packages, has opened a new website. The site consolidates three formerly separate sites: LittleFish Software, LittleFish Extras, and MacMaJig. Click here to view the new site. [4/23]

SuperTalk Reserved Words Now in Beta
SuperTalk Reserved Words is a project that, when dropped in the SC Pouch:Utilities folder, will provide a list of all of the SuperTalk reserved words conveniently through the Utilities menu of the Project Editor. The SuperTalk Reference project will open to the appropriate information when a word on the list is clicked on.

A public download for SuperTalk Reserved Words is not currently available. We will let you know when one becomes available. [4/23]

MacTech Playing Favorites?
Richard Gaskin, "Ambassador" for the Fourth World Media Corporation, posted an interesting article on the SuperCard List relating to a possible bias found at MacTech as it relates to RealBASIC and other development packages, such as SuperCard:

I just noticed that this month's MacTech Programmer's Challenge contest has an interesting twist this time around: The goal of the contest is to make a Klondike game, and for the first time I can remember the contest requests submissions in a specific 4GL, in this case RealBASIC.

We've all noticed that Apple has been unfairly playing favorites with RealBASIC as well (links all over the dev pages, but other 4GLs need to pay for that kind of advertising), but I expected a more balanced perspective from MacTech. It's tough using a non-Microsoft-flavored language these days, eh?

So I was thinking there's an opportunity here for a little SuperCard notoriety:

Anyone got a good game of Klondike made in SuperCard that they could submit?

While the contest rules clearly specify RealBASIC (and on balance, they do note that they don't normally endorse products like this), it seems a positive wake up call to the whole Mac development community to submit a really good Klondike done in the only 4GL that won the MacEddy for Best Authoring Tool two years in a row.

If nothing else, a strong submission may help the good folks at MacTech remember that the Apple-flavored HyperTalk family of languages still alike and kicking.

In addition, please let us know if you decide to create a SuperCard-based submission to the contest. We will post an announcement to the news page about your project and add a link to the project in our File Guide. [4/18]

SCLive Agenda for April 17th
Bruce Martin and iMac.MacintoshDeveloper.com will be hosting their weekly SCLive chat session tonight (Tuesday) at 10 PM EST. According to Mr. Martin:

Come join the chat this week, as we continue our development of our shell project for SuperCard.

This week we will open it up a little for input on what you want or need in a project shell. Please make your arguments at this weeks SCLive.

To join the chat, use the 'Connect' item in the 'Hotline' menu (of Hotline) and type in the following url: imac.macintoshdeveloper.com. [4/17]

SC > SVG Converts SuperCard Graphics Into SVG Files
Thinker Toys has released a SuperCard project that will convert graphics into the SVG format.

The Scalable Vector Graphics, or SVG, is defined by Adobe Systems as "an exciting new XML-based language for Web graphics from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)." More information about the SVG and a program that can display files that are saved in the graphics format can be found at Adobe's website. [download] [4/17]

DAS Works Adds International Support to PrintReport
PrintReport 6.1 XCMD, a complete report generating package for SuperCard by DAS Works (see separate story), now supports localization of the software:

The latest version of PrintReport has been updated to handle localized versions of your program(s). Now your print preview window can be in the language you are shipping in!

More information about the PrintReport XCMD can be found at DAS Works' website. [demo] [4/16]

This Week on SCLive
Bruce Martin and iMac.MacintoshDeveloper.com will be hosting their weekly SCLive chat session tonight (Tuesday) at 10 PM EST (9 PM CST). According to Mr. Martin:

This week we will be talking about putting your Document Project into your Base project. We will also cover default settings that you should remember to set in every project.

We will discuss creating project plans.

To join the chat, use the 'Connect' item in the 'Hotline' menu (of Hotline) and type in the following url: imac.macintoshdeveloper.com. [4/10]

SuperCard Jam Chat Session Transforms Into SCLive
For the past weeks, SuperCard Jam has been a weekly chat session pertaining to diverse aspects of SuperCard. The new name reflects the changing of maintainers from Chilton Webb to Bruce Martin, along with some other modifications.

Currently, the chat session will take place at the same time as it previously did: 10 PM EST and it usually runs for about an hour. Mr. Martin mentioned, however, that they are "open for suggestions" for better times or days.

Mr. Martin also announced a major change that will coincide with the name change:

One other change will be the format. Up until now we have been picking topics out of a hat. From now on, unless we are having a special promotional session, we will be actually creating a Shell for all of your projects. This shell should help new comers to SC get started fast, as well as help you, the experienced SC developer, standardize your projects a bit so you can keep a Mac look and feel in all you do.

Currently the record for the number people attending the weekly chats is 18. Mr. Martin hopes to beat the current record this Tuesday night.

The specific plans for the discussion this Tuesday (April 2nd) have already been posted:

This week we kick off SCLive with the first steps in creating any application or project in SuperCard. I consider this a first step even before you have a project plan, or any Idea of what you want to do.

Why? Well, the first step is creating your Document window for a Multi-Document Application. Sure 90% of the things people put together do not need such capabilities, but join in and see how it is done, and hopefully I can answer some questions on why you would want to use Multi-Document Architecture in your projects.

Some may remember this topic a few weeks ago, however I do not plan on re doing the same talk. I will, recap and then continue to help you set up your MD project.

SCLive is an interactive forum so bring yourself, a copy of SC, even the Trial version should work for this, and any questions you might have. Although this is not going to be a Q&A session, I will give you time for that.

Some members have sent me their Shell projects. I have not taken the time to look them over but I will, and I may include some things from these shell projects in future SCLive events.

The main topic for this weeks chat is "ZoomBox, Complying with Apples HID"

To join the chat, which uses Hotline, select the "Connect" item in the "Hotline" menu and type in the following url: imac.macintoshdeveloper.com. [4/2]

Final Release of Flamethrower 1.1 Now Available
Although a few different beta versions of Flamethrower have been available in the past few months, IncWell has now finished and posted the completed version of the Flamethrower 1.1 upgrade. Click here to finish this article at Flamethrower Resource. [download update] [4/2]

PrintReport XCMD 6.1 Adds New Features, Fixes Bugs
PrintReport 6.1 XCMD is a complete report generating package for SuperCard. According to the developer of the package, DAS Works, PrintReport can "literally print anything." Included in the program is a robust page layout program. New in version 6.1:

Version 6.1 of PrintReport, the high powered printing engine, has been released. New features include both inline and from-file postscript printing, single preview mode, bug fixes, the latest documentation, and much more.

More information about PrintReport and other products by DAS Works can be found at their website. [demo] [3/30]

iEvents Set to Replace iCalendar
YENCO.COM has announced that they are developing a program known as iEvents that will replace their iCalendar package:

iEvents is a powerful client-side tool for quickly creating custom calendar graphics and HTML pages that can then be easily uploaded to any internet server or iDisk. It is ideal for individuals, schools, user groups, or any organization that wants to share their calendar events online. iEvents will be compatible with Mac OS 9 and the Mac OS X Classic Environment. (Specifications subject to change.)

We will provide you with more information as it becomes available. [3/28]

SuperCard Jam Plans for March 20
iMac.MacintoshDeveloper.com will be hosting their weekly SuperCard Jam chat session tonight (Tuesday) at 10 PM EST (9 PM CST). According to Chilton Webb, maintainer of iMac.MacintoshDeveloper.com:

Tonight we will once again be hosting a weekly SuperCard chat.

Previous discussions surrounded these topics:

• Speed Demons: Running SuperCard without the Project Editor and other things you can do to speed up SuperCard.
• Customizing the Script Tracer and other SuperCard resources
• Introduction to TCP/IP Networking concepts
• AppleEvents: Controlling and talking with other programs via AppleTalk
• Building Multi-Window, Multi-Project applications in SuperCard.
• SuperCard Errors: How to generate them, catch them, and stop them.

>> Tonight's topic:

Build Anything With SuperCard.

The way it works is simple: bring your ideas for software to the chat, and we'll tell you *exactly, step-by-step* how to build that software in SuperCard. Any software ideas you have are welcome. Everything from a better spreadsheet to virtual reality to building an army of robots to do your bidding can be done now (or you'll be able to shortly), in SuperCard, and tonight we'll tell you what you'll need, what to do, and how to do it.

So bring your wildest ideas, the crazy ones, or the ones you just haven't spent a lot of time fleshing out, and we'll create a roadmap for you.

To join in, use the 'Connect' item in the 'Hotline' menu (of Hotline)and type in the following url: imac.macintoshdeveloper.com. [3/20]

Agenda 2.1 Available in Titanium, New Features Added
YENCO.COM's Agenda 2.1, created in SuperCard, is a "round, virtual device which can greet you, tell you the current date, read off your scheduled events for the day and remind you of pending items on your to-do list." New features in version 2.1 include:

• Disables speech prefs if Speech Manager is not present.
• Dock and Registration tabs now open faster.
• Support for Virtual Metal Files added.
• Comes with Titanium Virtual Metal File.
• Updated shareware registration code system.
• About Agenda menu item enabled.
• Help and Welcome documents updated.
• Built with SuperCard 3.6.3.

After the initial version of Agenda 2.1 was released, it was discovered that a small bug was present in the shareware reminder system. As a result, Agenda 21.1 was released later in the day to correct this problem. [download] [3/20]

Illuminator Software Introduces New Mac-only Screensaver
DreamSaver is a new Mac screensaver which was developed in SuperCard. The screensaver accepts modules which can easily be created by anyone using SuperCard, with the help the Development Kit for DreamSaver.

Ten screen saver modules have been included with the DreamSaver package. They consist of:

• DreamSaver Module: By YENCO.COM. This is the default DreamSaver Module.
• Gradient: By Gigibyte.com. Watch as your screen is filled with wonderful gradients and changed with a checkerboard transition.
• MacDevSaver: By Illuminator Software. This is a tribute to Macintoshdeveloper.com, a great place for Macintosh developers to get information.
• SC CMD Mod: By John Johnston. This is a Module that displays various SuperCard Command Syntax.
• Set Text Mod: By John Johnston. This gives you the choice of what text is displayed on your screen while you are off playing Darts or Billiards. The text is drifts around on a choice of background patterns, solid colors or gradients background.
• Sign Saver: By Gigibyte.com. This Module goes through the Alphabet and displays the sign language equivalent and also speaks the letter to help you learn the sign.
• WebLaunch DS Module: By YENCO.COM. This is the first interactive Module for DreamSaver. It offers a text box prompt for the user to type in a URL to navigate to.
• When will we b paid?: By Illuminator Software. This is a Module that features the ability to play the song, "When Will We b Paid?" by Prince. A sound bite of the song comes with the module. You can download the full MP3 from http://www.npgonlineltd.com and drop it in the Music folder then select it in the Edit window and enjoy.
• Window Converter: By Illuminator Software. This we really like. This is our prediction of the future. Watch as Windows is converted before your very eyes to Mac.
• YENCO.COM DS Module: By YENCO.COM. This Module bounces a Yenco.com Advertisement around your screen.

Shortly, it will be possible to vote for your favorite module. In addition, other modules will eventually be available at Illuminator Software's homepage. [download] [3/19]

Mount Your iDisk Using SuperCard
Chilton Webb, with the help of Mike Yenco (YENCO.COM) and Scott Simon (IncWell), has created a short script for mounting an iDisk using SuperCard:

on mouseUp

send "afp://username:password@idisk.mac.com/username/" to program"Finder" with "aevtmvol" without reply

end mouseUp

Replace username with your iTools username, and password with your password, and this simple script will mount your iDisk on your desktop.

[3/19]

Humor: Chilton Webb Announces iHostage 1.0
Some people on the SuperCard List have asked for suggestions relating to shareware encryption schemes to prevent users from not paying the due amount after the shareware trial period ends. Mr. Webb has released iHostage 1.0, a SuperCard created program which was designed to prevent people from avoiding shareware payments:

Some of you have been asking for some kind of better shareware encryption scheme. Something unbreakable that guarantees the user will pay you for your shareware. After much deliberation, I'm pretty sure I've got the solution you need!

You can download it here:
http://www.webbtoys.com/iHostage.sea.hqx

How it works: People download your software, then if they keep it longer than a trial period which you can specify, every time they start up your program it reads one of their files at random from their startup drive, compresses it, encodes it with Triple DES encryption, hides it deep in the data fork of your app then deletes the original. Then it displays the icon of the target file, and in an easy to navigate window, tells them that unless they pay the fee, they'll never see that file again. After a few weeks (and a few dozen files later) they'll start thinking seriously about paying you for your software.

Please let me know what you think!

As you can from the headline of this article, this is not a real program but a product of Mr. Webb's humor. [3/15]

LifeMap 4.3 Adds Ability to Create Venn Diagrams
LifeMap is a SuperCard created program by Robert Abrams that can be used to create concept maps. The latest version adds support for the creation of venn diagrams. Click here for a tutorial regarding the creation of such venn diagrams. [download] (Note: The download is using a password protected archive and you will need to email requestpassword@robertabrams.net to receive the password.) [3/12]

SuperCard Jam Agenda for March 7
As a reminder, iMac.MacintoshDeveloper.com will be hosting their weekly SuperCard Jam chat session tonight (Tuesday) at 10 PM EST (9 PM CST). According to Chilton Webb, maintainer of iMac.MacintoshDeveloper.com:

Tonight at iMac.MacintoshDeveloper.com we'll be discussing SuperCard errors, how to generate them, what to do with them when you get them and when to ignore them.

In addition to the notes for tonight's discussion, Chilton mentioned in his post to the list that "a very cool announcement" will soon be made regarding next week's chat session. The announcement may be made as early as tomorrow.

Click here for more information about the weekly SuperCard Jam chat. [3/7]

New Version of File Type Jig Adds Useful Feature
File Type Jig 1.0.6 is a SuperCard project by John Johnston that can be used to change file and creator types. The new version adds a "a dropbox to drop files on to set the type and creator to change to. This means you can quickly drop a file to change and one to change to." [download] [3/3]

DreamSaver Module Inclusion Date Extended
The DreamSaver Module inclusion date has been extended for about two weeks. (DreamSaver is an upcoming SuperCard developed screensaver by Illuminator Software.) With the help of the Development Kit for DreamSaver, modules can be created and submitted to be included with the official release of DreamSaver.

Illuminator Software provides some tips for creating a module:

Make a project with 3 windows.

window 1 should be the ScreenSaver. This is the window where you think up those wild and wacky things.

Window 2, the About… window. Give yourself and SuperCard Credit.

Window 3, the Edit window. This is where you can let the user set any preferences for your Module.

Now test the project, does it run? if everything seems to work then it's time for the DSMD [DS Module Debugger].

Close SC. Open the DreamSaver Module Debugger (DSMD). Click the "Create Report" button. DSMD will ask you to locate the module. find your project and click open.

You can watch as DSMD will ruffle through your project looking for any pitfalls it knows about. It will also define all of the required userProperties for you.

Read and or print the final report. It should have a few Red Warnings the first time through when you follow this approach.

Quit DSMD.

open your project in SC.

Go through each warning and follow the suggestions it makes. one I know you will have will be some where in your project you will have a script to close your project. this is a no go in DreamSaver since DS handles that for you.

Set the newly created userProperties to the values you desire according to the DSDK Document.

Now save and quit SC.

Run it again in the DSMD, if the little image in the upper right corner is green then you are ready. if it is Red then make the suggested changes and try it again.

Any person who has their module included will receive a free copy of DreamSaver. [3/3]

iKeeper 1.1 Adds Drag & Drop Support, Other Features
iKeeper 1.1, the latest version of YENCO.COM's program that stores Internet and product information (see separate story), includes a number of new features that were requested by users of the original version of iKeeper:

• Paste and Drag & Drop support added.
• Paste/Drop automatic text formatting feature.
• Support email field added to Product iKeeper.
• Email button added to Product iKeeper.
• File storage updated to support email field.
• File navigation updated to support email field.
• Overview list resource updated.

iKeeper was created in SuperCard and is compatible with Mac OS 9.x and the Classic Environment of Mac OS X. [download] [2/26, updated]

SuperCard 3.6.3 Now Available
As reported by Scott Simon on the SuperCard List, the beta period for SuperCard 3.6.3 is now complete and the final version is now available. The new version fixes the memory leak that SuperCard 3.6.2 suffered from when drawing and redrawing bitmap graphics to the screen (see separate story).

The new version can be downloaded here. Also note that the SuperCard Player 3.6.3 is also now available. [2/24]

Worksheet Maker Receives an Update
LittleFish Software has updated Worksheet Maker to version 2.0.1. The program creates worksheets for Primary Mathematics. It is also possible to create and print an answer sheet for the worksheets. The new version includes the following new features and fixes:

• Fixed the creation of division sheets to avoid such calculations as 5 ÷ 6 in division of T&U
• Added choices to the one line worksheets for question type.
• Add choice of 2 up or 3 up for addition sums.
• Added screen for printing helper worksheets for children: Number squares, lines etc.

[download] (A 68k version is also available.) [2/19]

YENCO.COM Releases Major Upgrade to Agenda
The original incarnation of YENCO.COM's Agenda was a round, virtual device which allowed you to to record and play back voice reminders. The "device" used a a simple calendar interface and was available in the five iMac flavors. The new version makes major changes and adds a number of new features to the device. The following is a complete list of the changes made in the new version:

• Text-based data entry system.
• Copy/Paste & Drag/Drop support added.
• Data stored in external virtual data card file.
• Voice recording entry system removed.
• To-Do list added to keep track of unscheduled items.
• Shortcut to quickly jump to any month or year.
• Improved calendar display/update speed.
• Dock for quick access to all Agenda features.
• Improved shareware interface with pop-up register panel.
• Startup from events or to-do preference added.
• Trash old events preference added.
• Aqua background preference.
• Change color with Virtual Plastic Files.
• Link to get more Virtual Plastic files online.
• Startup sound on/off preference added.
• Apple Text-To-Speech enabled.
• Uses selected voice in the Speech control panel.
• Speaks greeting when opened (optional)
• Greeting data can be modified with SimpleText.
• Speaks events when opened (optional)
• Speaks pending to-do items when opened (optional)
• Speaks dialog messages (optional)
• Redesigned about screen with updated links.
• Changes color to show active/inactive state.
• Improved software update feature (registered users only)
• Improved preference file handling.
• New 32-bit and Mac OS X large icon added.
• New interface icons.
• New context-aware help system using Apple Help Viewer.
• New welcome document.
• No longer requires SuperCard Player application.
• Works with Mac OS X Classic Environment.

Of interesting note, Agenda now exists as one virtual device with the ability to install Virtual Plastic Files. (In previous versions, each different flavor of the device was treated as a separate program.) It appears that every flavor ever used for the iMac or iBook is available as a plastic files.

One of the most noticeable changes to the program deals with how the audio reminders are now created:

We started with the data entry system used in Agenda. People really liked the way the Agenda was able to play back their reminders for the day when they opened it, BUT were concerned about audio input. First, audio files can be quite large and users were worried about cluttering up their available disk space. Second, the Agenda could only record ONE message per day. Third, some newer Macs would start listening to the modem rather than the internal microphone which resulted in nothing being recorded in Agenda and required frequent trips to the Sound control panel. Fourth, Microphone input isn't supported in Mac OS X Classic Environment. So what did we do?

The Agenda 2 uses a new text-based data entry system. The amount of disk space used for text storage is next to nothing compared to audio files. Text can easily be edited to quickly remove and add new data for any given day and the text based system eliminates the third and fourth concerns entirely. To view, add, edit, or remove text, just option-click on that day in the calendar. But people liked the play back of their reminders for the day when they opened Agenda, and liked clicking on an underlined day and hearing their reminder... what about that?

The Agenda now uses Apple Text-To-Speech technology to read off the current date and your events for the day when you open it. You can also click on any underlined day in your calendar and the Agenda will read off that day's events as well. Now for those of you who would prefer a quiet solution, we made this feature an option that can easily be turned off. When speaking is turned off, all it takes is a click to view, add, edit, or remove text.

More information can be found on the Agenda product page at YENCO.COM. [download] [2/19]

List of Reserved Words Available
Christopher Watson has released a file containing a list of all of the 1,007 reserved words in SuperTalk. Mr. Watson has also provided some additional information about the reserved word list:

• This listing is based on the source code for SuperCard Beta 3.6.3.
• This listing is purely alphabetical, so keyword abbreviations may not be adjacent to their long-form counterparts.
• There are words in this listing that are undocumented, and/or relate to undocumented features, and/or function as ill-described optional keywords to otherwise fully documented commands. If you have a question about any of the words in the listing, pose them on this Group, and the SuperCard team will provide the best response possible.

The file can be found in the files section of the SuperCard List. [2/12]

SuperCard Jam Topics for Tuesday, February 13
According to Chilton Webb, this weeks topics for SuperCard Jam include:

• "SuperCard and TCP" in a little more in-depth. (This topic was discussed last week.)
• Discuss marketing tactics in the new Internet world.
• A look at Drag and Drop in detail.

During SuperCard Jam session last week, it was discussed how to hack the SharedFile, print money with SuperCard, and TCP in SuperCard.

SuperCard Jam is a weekly discussion for SuperCard programmers at Chilton Webb's iMac.MacintoshDeveloper.com Hotline server. Click here for more info. [2/12]

SuperCard Jam Tonight
As a reminder, iMac.MacintoshDeveloper.com will be hosting their weekly SuperCard Jam event tonight (Tuesday) at 9 PM CST. More information about SuperCard Jam can be found in one of our previous stories.

According to Chilton Webb, maintainer of iMac.MacintoshDeveloper.com, this week 's discussion will be focused on the following topics: SuperCard Talk, differences between HyperTalk and SuperTalk, converting of HyperCard stacks to SuperCard, hacking the Script Tracer, TCP in SuperCard, and using SuperCard to print money (if time permits).

Last week, which was the initial session of SuperCard Jam, dealt mainly with the SuperCard core and how it works.

Chilton Webb mentioned that he would start posting the transcripts on the server. [2/6, updated]

Welcome to SCR's New Location
As you can see, we have moved SuperCard Resource and the rest of the network to a new host. The main reason for the move was because some of our readers were having trouble accessing the site at the former location. The site would download very slowly and eventually stall for those users.

We have tested Virtual Nine's service (vr9.com) and found it to be a huge improvement over the last server. The site seems to load noticeably faster than he old sever, when actually it did load correctly. However, please let us know if you ever experience any problems loading the site.

On a side note, our host claims that they will not load any pop-up ads on this site if we inserted their ad on the top of the page. Please notify us if you see any pop-up adds load.

We have, however, experienced two minor oddities with this service. The first oddity deals with addresses of pages within the site. When accessing SuperCard Games at http://supercard.netfirms.com/games/, the slash at the end of the address must be present or the site will not load. The same is true for Flamethrower Resource or anything nested in a folder on the server. The other minor oddity is that the site will not load if a "www" is inserted into the address of SCR. As a result, only http://supercard.netfirms.com will work.

We hope that the server change will improve your experience and enjoyment of the site. [2/5]

MAC Address Released
Chilton Webb has released MAC Address, an XFCN which returns the MACAddress of the current system. [download] [2/5]

IncWell Releases First Public Beta for SuperCard 3.6.3
As posted by Scott Simon to the SuperCard List, SuperCard 3.6.3 beta was mainly designed to remedy the memory leak that SuperCard experienced when drawing and redrawing bitmap graphics to the screen (see separate story).

A pubic beta of the revision was released because the code that caused the leak was used in "hundreds of places" in SuperCard and IncWell h