I am not so psychologically naive to believe that everybody will learn xTalk the way I did - and will not have the luxury of very well paid half-time jobs so that they have the time to devote to learning it the way I have done.
It is indeed true that the RR documentation is not comparable with all the books on the market for (say) flipping Visual Basic (for 'flipping' insert your favourite B-word). Arguably some programming RADs are almost over-documented. An erstwhile employer bought me the printed version of the RR 1.1.1 documentation - before either he or I had realised that it was JUST a printout of the online docs. Maybe I am the one that is naive - but when I was in Illinois and unpacked my Mac LC III from Montgomery Ward is contained Hypercard (and no manual) and I just dived on in and got on with it: after all, it was such a breathe of fresh air after all those command-line fossils - and the GUI - well . . . It seemed at the time (and, I suppose it should still) that the underlying ZEITGEIST of Hypercard (read RR/MC) was that a manual should not be necessary. If somebody really feels a desperate urge (oh, dear) for an entry-level book and is prepared to sponsor me to the tune of some appropriate figure for a year I could probably "knock one together". However, "knock one together" is exactly what I would do (maybe I shouldn't give away trade secrets ???) by plundering Danny Goodman's Hypercard book, the RR online documentation and a fairly goofy 'Intro to VB' book I, unfortunately was required to buy as part of my joke MSc course. The other limiting factor about any 'text-book' I wrote on RR/MC would be that it would, obviously, reflect my approach to programming, which might not be to very many people's tastes. Don't all rush at once to pay me good money for a patchwork quilt! I have not seen Dan Shafer's book; but if his sense of humour is anything to go on I would try that one first. I would also suggest that any would-be users of RR go round to their local library (in English-speaking countries) and borrow Goodman's book - a bit over-prolix for my taste - but good for dipping into and getting the feel of what Hypercard WAS, and what RR is MORE THAN. Ultimately my feeling is that RR/MC is now something that has 2 levels: 1. the heir of Hypercard: an approachable, Object-based RAD for the 'Home and Teacher' crowd. 2. a sophisticated programming language that is in the process of getting a long way away from Hypercard. If this is true (waiting for feedback, abuse, so on - Take the Hint) there certainly is a need for an in-depth book for #2 - and, just possibly, a 'Content Delivery and Reinforcement Programming' book for #1. I, personally have my doubts about whether #1 would sell. sincerely, Richmond __________________________________________________ See Mathewson's software at: http://members.maclaunch.com/richmond/default.html _______________________________________ --------------------------------------------------------------- The Think Different Store http://www.thinkdifferentstore.com/ For All Your Mac Gear --------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ use-revolution mailing list [email protected] Please visit this url to subscribe, unsubscribe and manage your subscription preferences: http://lists.runrev.com/mailman/listinfo/use-revolution
