Revolution is a development environment/multimedia authoring software in the tradition of Hypercard and is based on the MetaCard engine. If you purchased the higher-grade versions, you can compile applications to more than one platform, with possibilities of applications running on Macintosh, Windows and Unix systems including Linux. It can import Hypercard stacks. It includes an English language-like scripting language called Transcript which is a full programming language superset of the scripting language of Hypercard Hypertalk. Revolution is an environment where non-programmers feel at ease (well, maybe after an initial learning curve) and programmers feel not too uncomfortable (after getting used to "non-traditional") programming syntax.
Versions
Their "Dreamcard" version is intended for home users/hobbyists, and requires the "Dreamcard Player" or another copy of Revolution to run. The "Studio" version is more powerful, and is useful in creating professional binary applications. The Enterprise version is far too expensive for most users, but is still cheaper (and easier) than Delphi. Not to mention it runs on the Mac and more Unix flavors than Delphi and Kylix.
Pricing (STUB)
Dreamcard costs $99.99, Studio costs $299.99, and Enterprise costs $899.99. However, Dreamcard is available as a "10-hour trial", which provides 10 hours of execution time. Revolution Enterprise is available as a "30 days of owning" trial.
Compatibility
Revolution is derived from MetaCard's engine, so MetaCard stacks are 100% compatible with Revolution. However, the other way around is not necessarily true. HyperCard stacks can be run, but externals will only run on Macs. SuperCard stacks must be run through a converter to be upgraded to Revolution/MetaCard format.
Platforms
Revolution runs on Mac Classic, Mac OS X, Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP, and the following UNIX variants:
- FreeBSD or BSDI
- HP-UX 10.20 or later
- SGI IRIX 5.3 or later
- Linux Intel 1.2.13 ELF or later
- AIX 3.2.3 or later
- Solaris x86 2.5 or later
- SPARC Solaris 2.3 or later
- SPARC SunOS 4.1.x or later
Standalone applications written in Revolution can run on the above, as well as Windows 3.1 (with limitations).
As of this article's extension, the Dreamcard Player runs only on Windows, Mac OS (Classic or X), and Linux.
Interface
On Linux, your GNOME/XFCE/GTK+ theme will be used if you have GTK+, otherwise, a Motif look will be used. On the Mac, Appearance Manager will be used, otherwise, the Platinum look will be used. On Windows, the XP theme OR standard widgets will be used. You can preview Motif, Platinum, and Windows themes on any platform.
http://www.runrev.com Web site
http://mathfieldday.com:8080/revdocs (wiki)
