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How Do I Get It? | Updaters | Special Updaters | FAQ

The Full Version

The full version of HyperCard costs around $99. (No demo is available.) You can buy it at the Apple Store; just go to the Software section and scroll down. (Note: The U.S. Apple store will not ship out of the country.)
Some mail-order software companies sell HyperCard, although it might not be pictured in their catalog. Some larger software stores may also carry it, or might be willing to order it for you.

The Free Player

The free HyperCard Player plays existing stacks but can't make new ones.
Apple includes a Player on system software CDs, but it isn't automatically loaded when you install system software; you need to locate it on the CD and copy it to your hard drive.
You can also download the latest Player at Apple's HC download site.

The Full Version

The current version is 2.4.1. It was released in the summer of 1998 and is identical to 2.4 except for a few bug fixes.

If you own HyperCard 2.3 or newer (the full version, not the Player), you can update it to 2.4.1 for free. Just download the updater at Apple's HyperCard download site. (Note: The updater may give an error message if the contents of your HC folder are different than it expects. The workaround is install a fresh copy from your original installation disks; then run the updater.)

If you own HyperCard 2.2 or older, there is no upgrade path available.
You might try buying a used copy of HC 2.3 or later at one of the internet auction sites like eBay; then you could use Apple's free updater to convert it to 2.4.1.
Another option is to just buy the latest version. That way you'll get the manuals and your purchase will help to support HyperCard.

The HyperCard Player

The current version is 2.4.1 and it's available for free. Apple puts a free Player on system software CDs, so if yours isn't too old it might have 2.4.1 on it. If not, you can download the latest player at Apple's HyperCard download site.

Yes, Apple has two special updaters:

System 8 Updater

If you are using a version of HyperCard earlier than 2.4 AND you are using System 8, some of HyperCard's supplimental stacks (such as Audio Help and HyperCard Help) will create a menu called "Help" which conflicts with Mac OS 8's system Help menu. This free update will replace some of those supplimental stacks; it will not alter the HyperCard application itself. I don't think this update is available online anymore, but you can find it on the Mac OS 8 CD in a folder called CD Extras.

Color Stack Repair for 2.3 Stacks

There was a bug in version 2.3 that could cause a crash if you created a color stack on one Power Mac and then tried to play it on a different Power Mac. (The bug doesn't occur in versions 2.3.5 or later). This stack will repair color stacks which have that problem. It can be downloaded at Apple's HC download site.

Is a demo version of HC available?
No.

Didn't HC used to be free?
Apple used to make only one version of HyperCard and it was included free with every Mac. They also permitted user groups to distribute it for a small fee. But a few years ago, Apple started making two versions of HyperCard -- the full version which had to be purchased, and the free Player.

Can I download an older, free version?
No, Apple doesn't permit older versions to be freely distributed. (Technically, older versions weren't free, they were bundled software.)

Can HyperCard stacks be made on a PC?
No, HyperCard stacks can only be created on a Mac.

Can HyperCard stacks be played on a PC?
No, HyperCard stacks can only be played on Macs. One workaround is to post your stack on the web using LiveCard from Royal Software (see my Links page), where they can be viewed on both Mac and PC browsers.