About OpenXION.org

English spoken here!
OpenXION is the English-like programming language based on Apple's HyperTalk.

No Installation!
Just download, unzip, & run!

Hello! My name is Joe—webmaster of OpenXION.org.

I was one of the early adapters of HyperCard in the late 80's and founded a company where we used HyperCard as a front end for Oracle databases.

HyperCard was one of the true pioneers in the areas of user-empowerment and RAD (rapid application development). With the click of mouse you could go from GUI design and programming into using your finished application.

Over the years, I remained a programming language hobbyist and often considered reviving HyperCard or HyperTalk in some form. When I found OpenXION, I could hardly believe my eyes. Once I had it running on my Mac and started exploring the docs, I was amazed that one person had done such an incredible job of re-inventing the full HyperTalk language.

I cannot thank Rebecca enough for all of the hard work she does to create and maintain OpenXION, and for allowing me to be a small part of that effort. This website is designed to help promote OpenXION and help new users get started.

All comments and submissions are sincerely welcomed.

History: HyperTalk & OpenXION

In 1987, Apple Computer introduced a revolutionary new software product called HyperCard. It was the brainchild of Bill Atkinson and it immediately empowered Mac users to create their own applications.

HyperCard provided a set of simple interface tools that used a simple card & stack metaphor, and a powerful programming language called HyperTalk. HyperTalk was a groundbreaking language because of its English-like syntax. The venerable hello world program was written in a single line, put "hello world".

Initially HyperCard was provided as free software on all Macs. That allowed users to play and explore, and find new ingenious ways to it. Sharing your work with others was as simple as sending them a copy of a single HyperCard stack. Very quickly, developers jumped on board and began to build extensions and commercial applications.

For reasons unknown to anyone but Apple's inner circle, HyperCard was allowed to die a slow death of neglect in the late 1990's. In 2000, the HyperCard team was reassigned and Mac users were left to mourn the quiet passing.

Over the years, many attempts have been made to clone or emulate HyperCard and HyperTalk. One early emulation was designed to run on Windows. But none of those attempts to keep HyperCard alive reached any widespread success. But now, thanks to Rebecca Bettencourt, the HyperTalk language is alive and well—and free and open to all.

OpenXION is HyperTalk reincarnated. Ms. Bettencourt released OpenXION in mid-2010. While still a work in progress, it a very stable and full-featured version of the HyperTalk language.

OpenXION History

For the full story behind OpenXION, read it in Rebecca's own words.

Full Disclosure

OpenXION.org is a site I established to support and promote the OpenXION project. While Rebecca Bettencourt is aware of this site and may have substantial input, the OpenXION.org webmaster is solely responsible for the content.