Articles
about Gypsy:
1) Macuser 86
2) Macazine 87
3) A+ 85
4) Macuser 85
5) LAMAC 85
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
THE MACINTOSH
MYSTIC
Gypsy, by Magnum Software, is essentially a computerized rendition of a Ouija
board. This program includes a pressboard "gameboard" and a ball-bearing
supported, freewheeling Mouse Mover in place of the standard plastic heart
with a pin through it. The Mouse Mover slips around the mouse, giving it the
"precise" movement necessary for control by the mystic spirits,
and it works well under more mundane conditions, too.
Moving the mouse on the board moves the on-screen pointer simultaneously. Questions are answered in this manner, though some may need interpretation. A basic text editor is provided for just this eventuality.
A couple of different boards and pointers are included on the program disk. These may be modified, or you can start with a clean slate by transferring MacPaint files. The process is uncomplicated and easy to master, all the more incredible once you realize the power and flexibility inherent in Gypsy.
Pages 9 through 27 of the manual cover all facets of board creation, the latter part being a concise tutorial. Though you can proceed along a number of different avenues, it is best to go with the prescribed order.
Work on the background first, followed by a pointer, creation and placement of text, and customization of
sound effects. Then the twinkling, very mystic-looking stars can be manipulated.
The sound selection screen makes it easy to set tone duration and volume as well as change notes. Click on a board character (letter or word), then click a key on the piano. The note chosen appears in the character box. A Cut and Paste feature allows fast duplication of the features in selected boxes.
Since MacPaint files may be used for backgrounds or pointers, the possibilities arc limitless. Text can be visible or invisible, and visible text may be displayed in a number of fonts.
Stars, one of the program's most interesting graphic flourishes, come in a number of varieties, all selectable from a "star bucket." Besides choosing different patterns, and deciding on blinking or non-blinking objects, you can work with foreground or background stars. Background brilliants are more malleable, meaning that anything about them can be changed. Foreground stars can only have their animation sequences sped up or slowed down.
With Gygsy it is possible to make a board for every imaginable use - serious, humorous or somewhere in between. Unbeatable at parties, it's also indispensable for séances and midnight meetings at the morgue.
Ted Salamone is a freelance
writer specializing in computer games and entertainment.
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