HyperCard

HyperCard
Release date:	1987–1998
Made by:	Bill Atkinson
Runs on:	Mac OS
Exports to:	Mac OS

Running

Web Browser

Try HyperCard in your web browser. You won't be able to save your work. James Friend's version runs faster for me.

• Internet Archive.
• James Friend's Website.

Emulator

Files

• Basilisk II
  • https://basilisk.cebix.net/
  • Other emulation options include: SheepShaver, Mini vMac, Mini vMac II.
• MacOS 7.6 ISO:
  • https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/macintosh-mac-os-76
  • I used the international 'MacOS76_WW.ZIP' version.
• ROM file:
  • https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/macintosh-rom-archive
  • The downloads here are compilations of all sorts of ROMs, so just download the top option.
  • I used the 'Mac IIci.ROM' file.
• HyperCard 2.4.1:
  • https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/hypercard-241
  • https://www.macintoshrepository.org/2632-hypercard-2-4

Setup

When you start Basilisk you will see a mostly blank window with some settings tabs on top:

• Volumes
  • Add the install CD: Click 'Add…', and select the MacOS 7.6 ISO you downloaded.
  • Add the hard disk: Click 'Create…', and find a place to put it, and give it a name. 200MB is plenty of space.
  • If you're on Mac or Linux set the 'Unix Root' path some somewhere useful, EG /home/[username]/.local/share/Basilisk II. You will be able to access this from within the emulator, so you can transfer files easily.
  • The order the drives matters, so make sure the ISO is first.
• SCSI
  • Defaults are fine
• Graphics/Sound
  • Video Type: Up to you. If set to window set the refresh rate to something nicer that 10Hz
  • 640x480 is typical to the era.
• Keyboard/Mouse
  • Defaults are fine
• Serial/Network
  • If you want to use the Internet set 'Ethernet Interface' to 'slirp'.
• Memory/Misc
  • 64MB of RAM in plenty
  • 'CPU Type' should be '68030 with FPU'
  • Add ROM File
• JIT Compiler
  • Defaults are fine

See Also

• Introduction to Emulation on Macintosh Garden.
• Basilisk II page on the E-Maculation wiki.

Similar Programs

• FreeCard
  • http://freecard.sourceforge.net/website/
• LILCard
  • Gone?
  • https://libraries.io/github/badsector/lilcard
  • http://runtimeterror.com/blog/lil-winlil-and-lil-studio.html
• Ren'Py HyperCard Framework
  • Ren'Py HyperCard Framework on itch.io.
    • HyperCard Graphics Pack
• ViperCard
  • Browser-based.
  • https://www.vipercard.net/
• Decker
  • Browser-based.
  • https://beyondloom.com/decker/
  • https://github.com/JohnEarnest/Decker
  • https://internet-janitor.itch.io/decker
• Stacksmith
  • In development.
  • https://stacksmith.org/
  • https://github.com/uliwitness/Stacksmith

Links

• HyperCard on Wikipedia.
• hypercard.org - Nice info about HyperCard and similar, contemporary projects
• Hyperjam game making event: Homepage | #HyperJam
• The Complete HyperCard Handbook on the Internet Archive.
• HyperCard on Ward Cunningham's WikiWikiWeb. More of the similar tools linked are abandonware?
• HyperCard Zine
• HyperCard > Properties - Design notes.
• Remembering HyperCard - 2003 article, on Low End Mac.
• All Hyped Up for HyperCard: Further Adventures with an Apple Legacy Format - 2021 article, on the Librarcy of Congress website.
• HyperCard Stacks on Internet Archive.