Programming for the Newton using Macintosh, 2nd ed.

Preface

The 1980s were a very good decade for computing. The personal computer came into its own and anything was possible. Anyone could have a good idea, work hard, and create some software that would make them famous. Out of this time of possibilities, companies such as Apple and Microsoft grew to prominence.

Gradually over the decade, however, the time required to create an application lengthened from months to years, and the cost to bring a product to market went from nothing to the GNP of many small countries. To complicate matters further, large companies started wanting software customized to their own particular needs even as commercial software applications quickly multiplied.

Enter the Newton in 1993, and once again the time is right--anything is possible. Anyone can have a good idea, work hard, and create a good Newton application in a few months. Remember also that the playing field is still quite uncrowded. Further, the Newton development environment makes customizing software a snap. Even tiny companies can have software tailored especially to their needs.

So, "Why Newton?" you might ask. Because Newton is part of our future, and the direction in which computing will move. Wireless technology will reshape the world, just as the personal computer did before it.

Try and imagine what your software and a Newton could accomplish: helping a doctor make rounds in a hospital; salespeople using the company's current on-line catalog to take an order and then faxing it back to the office; stock market traders beaming their buy and sell orders across the floor; a Japanese tourist getting the maps and language guides in Kanji for a trip to Disneyland; and everyone reading Internet newsgroups and mail even though they are nowhere near a wired modem. Whatever your imagination can devise for this wireless world, you can create on the Newton.

It is at least worth investigating. And this book gives you everything you need to do that.

Preface to the Second Edition
What You Need to Know to Program the Newton

An online version of Programming for the Newton using Macintosh, 2nd ed. ©1996, 1994, Julie McKeehan and Neil Rhodes.

Last modified: 1 DEC 1996