PRESS RELEASE: HyperSense Developer's Kit Enables Creation of Custom Objects Contact info: Mishelle Baun Thoughtful Software 616 East Locust St. Fort Collins, CO 80524 USA 970/221-4596 Internet (NEXTMAIL): info@thoughtful.com Thoughtful Software Releases XModDevKit New Version of Developer's Kit Enables Greater Customization of HyperSense Fort Collins, Colorado - May 9, 1996 - Thoughtful Software announces the release of another powerful HyperSense tool, the XModDevKit. The kit provides header files and full documentation, together with template and example files, to allow developers to easily extend HyperSense's functionality through external modules (XModules) which are dynamically loaded into the program when needed. In addition to the standard buttons, fields, sliders, and other interface objects included with HyperSense, users can now add any custom or non-standard objects they may need. Dials, gauges, colored push-buttons, graph views -- even custom text fields -- the list of possibilities is endless. "HyperSense has always been an extensible environment, to which users could add custom behavior through their own commands and functions," declared Douglas Simons, Thoughtful Software's Director of Development. "Now we've carried that ability to the screen in a way that fully integrates custom interface objects into their documents." AT&T Wireless Services, which uses HyperSense extensively for developing and delivering computer based training (CBT) to its users, has made good use of the new custom interface capability. Portions of their interactive tutorials lead users step-by-step through the actual procedures they will follow in working with the company's mission-critical custom applications. Taking advantage of HyperSense's new custom elements allowed them to exactly duplicate the interface of their application, including such non-standard objects as colored buttons, popups, and browsers, and text fields with custom behavior and coloring. By incorporating these custom elements within their HyperSense-based tutorials, AT&T's instructional designers were able to achieve realistic simulation of their application, under the control of SenseTalk scripts which guide users through specific tasks. The scripts set up the preconditions for each task, and can then respond to the user's interaction with the application and provide appropriate feedback. The XModDevKit is available at: ftp://next-ftp.peak.org/pub/next/submissions/XMo dDevKit.pkg.tar It should migrate soon from the submissions directory to the HyperSense directory there. There is no charge for use of the XModDevKit. Third party developers are encouraged to create modules providing specific functions or commands for interfacing with other applications. The NEXTSTEP Developer environment is needed in order to build XModules. HyperSense is a powerful hypermedia authoring system, with uses ranging from rapid prototyping to custom application development to creation of computer based training (CBT) titles. The object-based SenseTalk scripting language empowers documents with fully interactive capabilities through an intuitive English-like language that is easily mastered. HyperSensePlayer provides a user environment for working with documents and applications created in HyperSense without the ability to modify their scripts or basic structure. A FREE single-user license allows anyone to run the Player, in order to use the many HyperSense-based applications and documents which are now available. A useful assortment of documents is included with the package, immediately giving users the ability to maintain an address book and print labels, manage user defaults, store paragraphs of text for composing letters, work with multiple pasteboard items, and much more. Both the HyperSensePlayer and the full development environment are available by ftp at the address shown below, or can be ordered on floppy disks from Thoughtful Software for $10 each to cover media and shipping costs. HyperSensePlayer (including FREE single-user license and sample documents): ftp://next-ftp.peak.org/pub/next/HyperSense/HyperSenseREADME1.00B14a.rtfd. compressed ftp://next-ftp.peak.org/pub/next/HyperSense/HyperSensePlayer.pkg.1.00B14a.NIHS. b.tar HyperSense (full development version and documentation): ftp://next-ftp.peak.org/pub/next/HyperSense/HyperSenseApp.pkg.1.00B14a.NIHS.b. tar ftp://next-ftp.peak.org/pub/next/HyperSense/HyperSenseDocs.pkg.1.00B14a.tar Licenses for the HyperSense developer version are available for just $349 until May 13. After that date, order at the regular price of $499USD. MasterCard, Visa, and checks are accepted. Educational and quantity discounts are available. For more information, email info@thoughtful.com at Thoughtful Software, 616 East Locust St., Fort Collins, CO 80524 USA or call 970-221-4596. Thoughtful Software has been dedicated to the creation of tools which unlock the power of NEXTSTEP since 1989. We believe that users of a superior operating environment deserve an equally high standard of excellence in the tools they use. Our aim is to serve that need. HyperSense, SenseTalk, and HyperSensePlayer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Thoughtful Software. NEXTSTEP is a registered trademark of NeXT Software, Inc.