Re: Why the Apple II was on the right track...

[kindall@manual.com (Jerry Kindall)]

In article <33129349.31D2@swbell.net>, rubywand@swbell.net wrote:

>     Mac, on the other hand, offers a decent 'native' OS. Writing 
>interesting, useful programs, however, is no easier than it is on the PC. 

Actually, on the Mac, you have things like HyperCard, Prograph, and
scripting environments (AppleScript, OneClick) that make developing custom
software simpler than on the PC.  You have ResEdit and, again, OneClick
for customizing existing programs.  (I've made a number of "enhancements"
to AOL 3.0 on my Mac, for example, using OneClick.)

No, you probably wouldn't develop a full-fledged software package in
AppleScript, but you can.  I did.  It got three and a half stars in
MacUser, too.  (It was called EZ-Speak.)  You probably wouldn't want to do
it in HyperCard, but you can (Myst, anyone?).  You probably wouldn't want
to do it in OneClick, but you can (AutoFX, a utility for Photoshop).

On the PC, you do have Visual BASIC.  OTOH, we may eventually get
something even better on the Mac...

--
Jerry Kindall <kindall@manual.com>
Manual Labor  <http://www.manual.com/>
Technical Writing; Internet & WWW Consulting

Author of the Web Motion Encyclopedia
The comprehensive animation and video reference for Web designers
Coming Summer '97 from Waite Group Press