HTML TEXT CONVERTER
===================
Yes, I know nobody reads documentations, but who cares ! 8-)
*********************************** CONTENTS ***********************************
1. What's that ?
1.1. Quick description
1.2. How to use it
2. Remarks
2.1. Generated HTML files
2.2. Converted characters
3. Old and future versions
4. Bugs ?
5. Contact and copyright
********************************************************************************
1. What's that ?
================
This version 1.5 of HTML TEXT CONVERTER was 100% coded in GFA Basic 3.
1.1. Quick description
----------------------
Well, I don't want to explain you what the HTML language is, this software was
made for people who would like to make HTML pages with ASCII text.
HTML TEXT CONVERTER can do two things :
- it can convert an ASCII file into HTML format with the header, carriage return
and so on,
- it can convert ASCII accents into HTML accents but il also converts all the
special characters.
I've coded it in order to help me when I'm making HTML pages with ASCII texts.
In fact, I intensively use it for the Toxic Mag (a French diskmagazine for the
Atari computers, see my address).
1.2. How to use it
------------------
When HTML TEXT CONVERTER starts, there is a dialog box and 5 options :
- Convert from an ASCII text : HTML TEXT CONVERTER will modify your text and
will partially translate it into HTML format. As the conversion is not perfect
(perfect things don't exist on Earth), always use a text editor after using
HTML TEXT CONVERTER. See section 2 to have info about the generated files.
Note that the "<", ">" and "&" characters are converted here.
- Only convert the characters : HTML TEXT CONVERTER will translate the classic
accents into HTML accents. for instance, "" will become "ô" and "
"
will become "à". The aim of this option is to kill ASCII accents in an
HTML page. I guess you will use many more times the first option !
Moreover, almost all the special characters (their ASCII code is greater than
127) will be converter (please report to section "2.2" for more info).
Note that here the "<", ">" and "&" are not converted.
- Options : these options are generally used for the two kinds of conversions :
- Lines with "-" end with
: if a line of your ASCII file begins with a
"-", the software will think that's an enumeration and will add a carriage
return symbol at the end (
). Beware : this only concerns the "Convert
from an ASCII text" option.
- Convert accents : always keep this option enabled... very useful !
- Convert special characters : replace most of the characters which the ASCII
code is greater than 127 by the HTML equivalents. If your ASCII file doesn't
contain these special characters, disable this option because it will slow
down the computer.
- Convert "&" : replace the ampersand by "&". Beware : avoid using this
option with a text already converted in HTML format !
- Convert "<" and ">" : replace these characters by "<" and ">". Avoid
using this option with a text already converted in HTML format !
- Convert quotation marks : the quotation marks are replaced by """.
- Info : about HTML TEXT CONVERTER
- Exit : well...
2. Remarks
==========
2.1. Generated HTML files
-------------------------
HTML TEXT CONVERTER will always add modifications to ASCII files, so the lenght
of the HTML files will ALWAYS be greater. What's inside an HTML file generated
by HTML TEXT CONVERTER ?
First of all, HTML TEXT CONVERTER will add a remark (so it won't be taken into
consideration by you favorite HTML browser) and will display that IT has
converted the file. It will add my name, the date and the time of the conversion
too (it can be useful).
It will also add a header :
(...)
Don't forget the title !
If HTML TEXT CONVERTER notes an empty lines, it will put this instead :
It means : carriage return and new paragraph.
And, last but not least, the software adds this at the end of the HTML file :
(Enjoy !)
2.2. Converted characters
-------------------------
Here is the list of the converted characters : firstly the accents and secondly
the "special" characters.
Converted accents :
A :
, ¶, , , , , , , °, ·, , .
E : , , , , .
I : , , ¡, .
O : , , , ¢, , ±, ¸, ², ³.
U : , , , £, .
Y : .
Cedilles : , .
Tildes : ~, ¤, ¥.
Converted special characters :
, , , , |, Ý, ¹, ½, ¾, ®, ¯, ¦, ª, ÿ, ø, ñ, ý, þ, º, æ, ¼, ú, §, ¬, «, ¨, ö,
.
Some characters only exist on Atari and they're not recognized by HTML language.
So, I have found some solutions :
´ -> oe
µ -> OE
-> f
¿ -> (TM)
À -> ij
Á -> IJ
Þ -> ^
But other characters can't be translated (for the moment) into HTML format :
mathematical symbols, Hebrew and Greek letters, etc.
The "&", "<" and ">" characters are only translated if you choose the "Convert
from an ASCII text" option. That's normal because these characters are used by
HTML language.
3. Old and future versions
==========================
Version 1.0 from April 4th, 1997 :
- Crappy non-GEM interface
- Doesn't recognize the end of files yet 8-(
Version 1.1 from April 5th, 1997 :
- Now it recognizes the end of files
- French accents only
Version 1.2 from April 10th, 1997 :
- The dialog box has changed (there is an RSC file now)
- More and more accents are recognized
- And all this in a few hours only : yo ! Coding GEM in GFA is good ! ;-)
Version 1.3 from April 15th, 1997 :
- The "½", "&", "<" and ">" characters are recognized
- Almost all the accents are recognized
- A bug of the interface has been removed (the dialog box was selectable !)
Version 1.4 from May 8th, 1997 :
- The software remembers the last path
- In the comments, "" become now ""
Version 1.5 from May 30th, 1997 :
- Absolutely all the accents are recognized
- Some characters which ASCII code is greater than 127 are recognized too
- The option previously called "Only convert the accents" is now called "Only
convert the characters"
- New options (cf. the part 1.2)
- These options are automatically saved when the software is quitted
- Works in all the ST and Falcon resolutions
Planed for future versions :
- Conversion of greek letters ?
4. Bugs ?
=========
- The source and destination files mustn't be the same and musn't be on two
different diskettes 'coz HTML TEXT CONVERTER opens these files simultaneously
(it uses less RAM and it's easier to manage !).
- The last line MUST be a blank line else there will be an EOF error (Error #26)
or 2 bombs (but it won't be too serious... I hope !).
- HTML TEXT CONVERTER was created and tested on Falcon 030 and should work with
ALL Atari computers and clones on this planet. If it doesn't work on your
computer then get in touch with me.
- With MagiC, please run this program in monotask (or in multitask if there are
no windows below) :)
- Contact me if you find other bugs... 8^)
5. Contact and copyright (the boring bits)
========================
HTML TEXT CONVERTER is postcardware. It means you HAVE TO send me a beautiful
postcard if you enjoy it, if you often use it or if you've installed it on your
hard disk or a CD-Rom.
If people send me postcards then I will code other versions. If nobody sends me
a postcard, I will stop coding future versions of HTML TEXT CONVERTER.
Well, I can't reply all the postcards because stamps aren't so cheap. But you
still can tell me your e-mail address (who cares !).
Contact me at : PEREZ Stphane
328, Les Hauts du Louvarou
38560 HAUTE-JARRIE
FRANCE
E-mail address : sperez@club-internet.fr (until July 1997)
Along with HTML TEXT CONVERTER, you will find a "FILE_ID.DIZ" file and a French
documentation. Have a nice day (or night ?) !!!