How do I play old HyperCard programs on OSX?

Question

How do I play old HyperCard programs on OSX?

One of the first electronic books was made on a Mac running System7 and HyperCard. I have a copy of this program downloaded from the author on my Mac running OS 10.5.8. I also have an old Mac LCII with HyperCard, but can not find a way to transfer the files (only floppydrive and no USB or Ethernet sockets). If I had an external floppydrive MAYBE I could put the files in there, but would the System7 formatted disc be read by OSX?

I have also attempted to convert and read the files using HyperStudio5 and SuperCard, but with no success. SuperCard converted only the stack file and couldn't manage to run the program with all underlaying files.

The electronic book is called «Iakttagarens förmåga» of the Swedish author Karl-Erik Tallmo.

MacBookPro, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Jun 30, 2011 4:23 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 30, 2011 10:21 PM in response to George Spawne

George,

Could you please explain a little more. You said:

"I have a copy of this program downloaded from the author on my Mac running OS 10.5.8. I also have an old Mac LCII with HyperCard, but can not find a way to transfer the files"

Are you saying that you have an OS 7 version of HyperCard running on your MacBookPro but you want to load the book from an older computer? If so, what process did you use to load HyperCard? Are you saying that you downloaded a version of HyperCard directly to your laptop and it works just as downloaded?

If that is the case, then are you looking for a way to get the LCII online to upload the files?

Can you reveal the location of the download?

Ji~m

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Answer 2

Jul 2, 2011 11:15 AM in response to Appaloosa mac man

Hi, and thanks for taking interest in this rather strange situation I am in.

HyperCard is not available for the OSX, so the only files I have on my MacBook is the ebook (wich I defined as a program). HyperCard is running on my LCII. So what I am trying to do si to transfer the HyperCard files from my MacBook to my LCII to be able to read them. The LCII is only equipped with a floppy drive, no USB or WiFi. And the two operating systems, OSX and System7, does not communicate well...

I have borrowed a USB flopppydisk drive from a friend, and I'll see if I can transfer the files from my MacBook to a System7 formated floppy disc. If so, the problem may be solved.

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Answer 3

Jul 2, 2011 3:45 PM in response to George Spawne

The transfer from OSX to System7 went well. The files were compressed using Stuffit, so I used an old iBook with Classic running OS9 and decompressed the files with Stuffit Expander, then transfered the files to a System7 formatted floppy disk and inserted them into my LCII. HyperCard then played the files on the old computer. What a relief.

I would prefer to read the ebook on a new computer, but that seems to be difficult. So when the old macs are gone, so will this kind of litterature. Unless someone would take the time to take screenshots and create the same document in Flash or similar.

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Answer 4

Jul 3, 2011 2:25 AM in response to Appaloosa mac man

Good idea! But after several attempts to find a way to reach them, I believe they are probably not interested in beeing contacted by the public... If anyone have an email adress or something, I'll send them a notice about the ebook brought back to life.

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Answer 5

_donohoe

Level 1

4 points

Nov 29, 2011 9:56 PM in response to George Spawne

Hi Geroge,

In the last week I recovered my Mac Color Classic and got it to startup. I've been searching for a copy of HyperCard for sometime.

Do you still have the install disks - and if so could I borrow them (will happily cover costs)?

Please let me know - or if you know of another way to find them.

Thanks,

Michael

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Answer 6

Dec 5, 2011 3:49 PM in response to _donohoe

_donohoe,

Post back with the name of a large city near you. We may be able to find you a user group that can help you out. We are in the middle of a move to enable us to offer a Mac Museum so our copies are packed up.

Ji~m

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Answer 7

Dec 6, 2011 4:35 AM in response to _donohoe

Hi!

I still have the original disks, but they are most probably designed for a LCIII only. HyperCard is not specified on the disks, they are only called "Install 1 & 2". I can give you a copy of the HyperCard program, but I doubt this will work, since it is not the install version. I am greatful if Appaloosa can open up a Mac museum for original install files of different old OS's and programs.

George

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Answer 8

Feb 7, 2013 1:29 PM in response to George Spawne

Often it is possible to convert Hypercard stacks with Supercard or with LiveCode (former Metacard). LiveCode becomes now open source. It is believed to be the Hypercard of the 21th century: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1755283828/open-source-edition-of-livecode

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Answer 9

Feb 7, 2013 2:28 PM in response to Etienne Ruedin

Following a messagewith this information, you can emulate a PPC Macintosh with Classic modus on OS X 10.4 an use Hypercard as in the good old times.

On the first link is a free stack that helps to export content from Hypercard stacks before upgrading to Intel Macintosh and/or OS X >10.4.

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Answer 10

Jul 2, 2011 5:34 PM in response to George Spawne

Nice job jumping through hoops. Google is attempting to digitize every book ever known to man. Have you checked in with them? : _)

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