Microsoft KB Archive/35355

Programs for Mac QuickBASIC Ad, “It Can Sing, Dance…”

PSS ID Number: Q35355 Article last modified on 01-12-1995

1.00

MACINTOSH

= SUMMARY =

The advertisement for Macintosh QuickBASIC features three screen pictures labelled as follows: “It can sing,” “It can dance,” “It can even spit nickels.” The QuickBASIC programs that these screen pictures were taken from are available for demonstrations. Microsoft provides them on CompuServe as freeware/demoware for anybody to use, copy, distribute, or improve upon.

On CompuServe, the files are named SING.SIT, DANCE.SIT, and NICKELS.SIT. There is also a text file, ITCAN.TXT, which describes the programs. These files are currently located in Gen & New Uploads on MSSYS (where new items are located on CompuServe), but after October 1, 1988, the files will be moved to BASIC/QuickBASIC on MSSYS.

If you find problems with these programs, it should be pointed out that they are meant only as demonstrations of the kinds of things that can be done in QuickBASIC, and are not commercial-quality applications. You are free to modify them as you wish.

= MORE INFORMATION =

The following is a listing of the text file ITCAN.TXT that is available on CompuServe:

Microsoft QuickBASIC for the Macintosh:

It Can Sing….

It Can Dance…

It Can Even Spit Nickels.

It Can Sing…, It Can Dance…, and It Can Even Spit Nickels are three sample programs for Microsoft QuickBASIC for the Macintosh. These programs require a 640 x 480 pixel screen (Mac II) to run. In addition to the compiled, stand-alone applications, the source code of each is included, so you can modify them as necessary. Please feel free to use, copy, distribute, or improve upon these programs. These programs will be featured in the forthcoming advertising for Microsoft QuickBASIC for the Macintosh.

Each of these programs was written in two or three days. We have not attempted to create commercial applications, but rather to demonstrate how easy it is to “unleash the power” of the Macintosh using Microsoft QuickBASIC.

It Can Sing

MacBach is a music application which allows you to compose four-voice music, each voice represented by a different color. Move between measures by clicking on the arrow buttons. Click on a note to select it, then on the staff to insert it. The “ear” button will play the current measure; the “piano” button will play the entire tune up to the current measure. There are three sample data files that you can access: “All My Loving”, “Yesterday”, and “Minuet”. If these files are accessible then choosing “Open” from the File menu will allow you to play them. Or, double-click on a tune file from the desktop to automatically begin MacBach and load that tune.

It Can Dance

MacAmation is an animation program, with some simple drawing tools and the ability to import images from the clipboard. Each picture constitutes a “frame” and each set of related frames is a “movie.” Create your own movie or Open (from the File menu) the Dancer movie provided. Click up or down on the arrows for the Start and End buttons to determine which frames will be shown. Toggle between large screen and small screen using the Screen menu and click Play (the projector icon) to begin. Increase Delay to slow the animation. To stop the movie, click on the Cut button. Double-click on the Dancer movie from the desktop to automatically begin MacAmation and load the movie.

It Can Even Spit Nickels

MacLuck is a simple slot-machine program which demonstrates Mac QuickBASIC’s dazzling color capabilities. Click on the lever to begin.

Additional reference words: MQuickB KBCategory: kbprg KBSubcategory: ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1995.