"Realtime" HyperStudio on the Internet!
Updated January 10, 1998
Just so there is no confusion...delivering "realtime" data as presented here is much different than "streaming" data as in products such as Real Audio. Realtime HyperStudio simply means the ability to receive stacks over the Internet without user intervention to start the application. Streaming implies that data is being processed as soon as it is sent over the Internet. That would be like having HyperStudio show the first card of a stack as it's still receiving the rest of the stack. That's not possible (YET)! By setting up your browser properly, it is possible to "play" HyperStudio stacks brought directly over the Internet without using compression or binhex, but by having HyperStudio launched automatically when the stacks are available. Alternatively, Roger Wagner Publishing has released the HyperStudio plug-in for Netscape and Internet Explorer for both Macintosh and Windows versions. This makes the process even easier by eliminating the need to configure helper applications.
There is one slight "caveat" for those of you who are configuring Macintosh HyperStudio versions before 3.0 as a helper application for your browser - the Internet does not recognize "resource" information in files from the Macintosh. What that means is that the stacks you bring down to play in "realtime" may be missing some important features (notably any NBAs that they used). Until all of the stack's information can be brought into the data fork (a process called flattening), I've put together a compromise solution. Download this specially modified Macintosh HyperStudio Player and you'll be able to enjoy Animator, NetPage, Hide/Show and Quit NBAs in real time stacks. The latest Windows HyperStudio Player and Macinotsh HyperStudio Player can be found at the Roger Wagner Publishing Web site. There are no limitations for those of you who opt to use the HyperStudio plug-in.
There are a number of considerations to keep in mind before being able to use the concept of "realtime" HyperStudio. Choose from the list below to head to the topic which most interests you:
If you have a need to find additional helper applications, feel free to browse my conference software page.
Send comments to Jim Hirsch.