Hello Mark and y'all,
> If you want to motivate me and others, you should
> provide much more information about the project.
Point well taken. Tell *me* what you would like to
know. I am insisting on *me* because this is *my* role
in this collaboration. As much as possible, we're
trying to keep the programmer(s) focused on the
programming ("Gemba").
> A few screenshots is the least I expect.
Screenshots of all of FreeGUI's components are
currently available, as well as the stacks that were
photographed.
> These screenshots doesn't have to be real; you
> can make pictures that show where you want to go
> with the project.
I really like this idea of creating schematics to show
the concepts, processes, and so on. Is anyone in this
group familiar with UML? Unified Modeling Language may
be way-way-more than you were suggesting, but that's
the nature of *collaborative* work, eh! Not
incidentally, UML is what the pros use for modeling
programming stuff.
> Contrary to what you may think, the information in
> the Pantechnicon does not tell the potential user
> or developer much about the FreeCard project.
Let's work on this together, e.g. you and me, and
anyone else who cares to join in. If we really get
into it, we could design and document the entire
program/project in this schematic way; before, during
and after the actual release of the software. It would
be hot! :))
> It is even not clear whether it will eventually
> be able to import HyperCard stacks.
Yes, it will. This has always been our intention. It
has not changed. Given the abundant resources of the
Pan, it would be rather dumb to make em un-portable to
FreeCard. This does NOT mean, though, that we will be
able to read HyperCard's native file-format. OTC Apple
is unlikely to reveal this "secret" to us, nor will
MetaCard/Raney, for obvious reasons. As explained by
Adrian, we will create a HyperCard-stack exporter
which outputs the HC stack as an XML file which can
then be interpreted by FreeCard.
> If you are telling me that it really is there
> somewhere, then apparently you've put the info
> in the wrong place.
I quite frankly don't know whether this particular
info is in there. Perhaps we assumed everyone knew
this info already. Perhaps we didn't have time to get
around to it yet. There is only so much 1 programmer
and one animator can achieve while maintaining their
day-job. We clearly need more minds and bodies to
materialize our visions of the future. Let's
design/draw/document FreeCard, as you suggest, but
don't forget to include yourself & others, as well as
Adrian and myself, in this rosy picture. :))
> I have downloaded lots of Java tutorials and
> with your help I could put something together
> and compile the source files. Later, I can learn
> more about Java and maybe I can actually
> contribute, but I am not at that stage yet.
In this regard, you and me (and others too no doubt)
are exactly in the same boat. We can help each other
learn Java programming, among us the Java newbies, but
we must let our experienced/expert Java programmers
like Adrian do the "Gemba" work of our collaboration.
Btw, I just finished a book on how to lead innovative
teams where the concept of "Gemba" is explained. Gemba
is the work which actually accomplishes the goal that
the team sets out to accomplish. Our goal is software
called FreeCard. Gemba work, in this case, is the Java
programming of FreeCard. Everything else is not Gemba,
albeit non-Gemba work is essential for the *support*
of the Gemba work.
> There is a good chance that I will be asked to
> give a presentation at the Apple Expo Paris 2003.
What is the exact date of this presentation?
How much time have we got?
> I could talk about open source projects, since
> Apple thinks that open source is very important,
> and link it to the FreeCard project.
Controversial, though, given that FreeCard is a
"clone" of HyperCard, an Apple-only ware that was
neglected for years, then steved... Our 7 years of
stubborn refusal to become obsolete because of Steve's
callous disregard of us. If, OTOH, Apple miraculously
decided to open source HyperCard after all, then its
another matter altogether.
> You'll understand that I'll need something that
> I can show, preferably a limited but working
> authoring tool.
The schematics we discussed in this letter might be
sufficient in the short-term. In such a presentation,
there is rarely the opportunity to actually
demonstrate the software. A few slides, a bit of bla
bla, and before you know it 15-20 minutes has slipped
by, and your time is up.
> Do you have anything for me?
None of the above schematics are done yet. They could
be though, particularly if you and others join in on
the fun of making FreeCard happen.
> As to the question whether MacOS 9 is worth
> considering, I am using MacOS 9 only and many
> people are. There are still many more old Macs
> being used than new Macs, especially by home
> users.
Point well taken. I hope someone steps forward to port
FreeCard to Mac Classic when the time comes, because
for now I'm still using Mac OS 8.6. Lest we forget,
however, the petition and our other efforts were
basically aimed for the most part at getting Apple to
upgrade HyperCard to MacOS X, and FreeCard will indeed
run on MacOS X.
> If I am going to present anything in Paris,
> it will probably have to run on MacOS X,
> but if I am going to use it as a developing
> tool, it will have to run on MacOS 9 and the
> products I develop with it too.
I'm still on the 'fence' on this issue.
> Best regards,
> Mark
Where do you stand now?
Regards,
Alain
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM).
http://calendar.yahoo.com
-------------------------------------------------------
This SF.net email is sponsored by: eBay
Get office equipment for less on eBay!
http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/711-11697-6916-5
_______________________________________________
Freecard-general mailing list
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freecard-general
