>I am a Macintosh HyperCard/SuperCard developer who is considering
>MetaCard because of its cross-platform capabilities.
>
>Suppose I produce a Macintosh standalone application with a
>Macintosh version of MetaCard. How do I convert that product to a
>Windows standalone? Do I need a Windows version of MetaCard? Do I
>have to use a WinTel computer?
It is possible to produce the Windows standalone without actually
having Windows, but it is best to at least check it out afterwards.
Your choice is either use a Windows PC or something like Virtual PC
with Windows as required. Mac-based MetaCard developers seem to use
a mixture of these approaches.
As an ex HyperCard/SuperCard developer, I've found the move to
MetaCard very worthwhile for a whole number of reasons, not the least
of which is this superb list which never seems to fail to come up
with solutions in record time!
The plus points for MetaCard are:
- excellent product, very stable
- very extensive range of capabilities
- very high level of cross-platform compatibility (I can vouch for Mac/Win)
- very rapid execution of stacks (using a Player) and standalones
- very responsive developer (MetaCard Corp)
- product actively being developed, not rotting on the shelf
- very flexible licensing - a single user needs a single licence that
can be used across platforms by that single user - 1x cost for all
platforms (unlike Director say which costs twice for both Mac and in)
- extremely helpful and responsive e-mail list
On the downside:
- development environment rather intimidating (new one under
development through Xworlds should be a lot better)
- incomplete documentation, often making it hard to even guess what
should be done (again, being addressed by MetaCard Corp and Xworlds)
- lack of "street credibility and knowledge" - too few people know
what a great tool it is and so you end up having to sell it to your
customers as a "good thing"
I had to gulp at the entry fee ($995 + $300 pa thereafter to keep up
to date - half these costs if you're academic) as a single developer,
but I must say it is good "value for money". It took me sometime to
justify in my mind the cost of a full licence, but having done so I
don't regret it, I only wish I'd done so earlier!
Of course the above are just my humble opinions, I'm sure others on
this list will chip in with more of even refute some of my criticisms!
Cheers
Peter
--------------------------------------------------------
Peter Reid
Reid-IT Limited, Loughborough, Leics., UK
Tel: +44 (0)1509 268843 Fax: +44 (0)870 052 7576
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web: http://www.reidit.co.uk
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Please send bug reports to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, not this list.
