Only if the documents were saved as TEXT only. It is possible to force A/S to open and process any file, but the results will probably not be acceptable if the file is not a TEXT document.
Future versions of A/S could probably correctly manipulate formatted Word documents, but Iﾕm not convinced adding this would be worth the effort.
A/S can process RTF and HTML formatted documents which are TEXT only documents with embedded formatting codes. Of course, to process these documents properly requires a good undrstanding of how these documents are structured and how A/S works. It is pretty easy to create a ﾒdamagedﾓ RTF or HTML document by processing the original document using inappropriate settings.
･ How do I use A/S to move TEXT documents to or from a PC or other type of computer?
A/S cannot physically move a document to or from the Macintosh. Youﾕll need some other software to do that. What A/S can do, however, is adjust the format of a document to better match the needs of the computer system on which it will ultimately be used. This includes, but is not limited to, adding or removing line feeds and remapping characters.
･ What is the difference between replacement strings and line replacement strings?
Line replacement strings search within carriage return delimited lines while replacement strings are not constrained to matches within individual lines. When matches are found during a line search, the entire line can be acted on, removing, replacing, or emptying it. Standard replacement strings will only act upon the matched string.
Itﾕs easiest to use line replacement strings to specify searches for characters at the beginning or end of a line. You can even do ﾒblindﾓ replacing by using the any char wildcard (ﾒ^?ﾓ) to match any characters at the beginning or end of a line. A line replacement find string of ﾒ^?^?ﾓ and an empty change string will remove the first two characters from every line that is at least two characters in length.
When searches need to span lines, replacement strings must be used since line replacements will not search across lines.
･ What are the best settings to use?
There is no simple answer to this question. Different users and different documents have different needs. What I understand to be the most common settings are the default settings that come up when A/S is first opened; make paragraphs, no replacement strings, and so forth.
Just as an adjustable wrench can be made to fit a wide range of nuts and bolts, A/S can be adjusted to process a wide variety of documents. It is also true that both tools have limits to their adjustability and will not meet all needs.
See the next question.
･ A/S is not doing what I think it should. What should I do?
Compare the structure of your original document to the structure that you desire. How would you change the document using a word processor? Would you remove carriage returns? Would you use search and replace to change certain characters?
Did the file originate on a foreign (non-Mac) computer? If so, you may need to have A/S remap the characters before it processes them.
Will the file be sent to a foreign (non-Mac) computer? If so, you may need to remap the characters to fit the foreign computerﾕs character set.
Now consider your processing settings carefully. Are you using the best main process? Have you consulted the online help or printed documentation? Are some replacement strings active which should be disabled?
Keep in mind the order of processing. Search and replace operations (replacement and line replacement strings) are done before the main process. If your replacement strings rely on a structure that is created by the main process you may have to process the file in two passes; process and then process the resulting file.
If all else fails, send me a copy of the current settings file, the document you are trying to process, and the document which has been formatted in the manner you require. Use a word processor to create this document using the original document as a template. E-mail is the fastest way to get in touch with me. CompuServe users can attach the aforementioned files to your e-mail messages.
･ What is Null Replacer 1.0?
Null Replacer was written as a companion application for Add/Strip. Since the current Add/Strip architecture requires it to be able to temporarily insert nulls into text as it processes files, it routinely removes all nulls found in files when it starts processing them. It also does not allow search and replace operations using nulls.
If nulls must be preserved in a file, this application could be used to change them to another character then process the resulting file using Add/Strip and then the nulls could be restored in the Add/Strip-created file using this application.
Other potentially useful utilities included with Add/Strip are contained in the Utilities folder. Open the associated documentation to see some basic information for each utility.
･ How do I contact you to report bugs or ask questions? What is your phone number?
I prefer to keep my phone number to myself. Not because I donﾕt want to support A/S, but because I am very difficult to contact by phone. Anyone who has tried to contact me by phone would readily agree.
Your best method of contacting me is to use one of the electronic addresses listed in the ﾒread meﾓ file or online help. I try to check my e-mail messages at least once a day and files can be readily attached to messages on CompuServe if you also have a CompuServe account. I cannot currently send or receive attached files to or from Internet addresses yet.
･ What are you planning for future versions?
I plan on releasing a PPC native version of A/S. Iﾕm not sure how long this will take, nor am I convinced it will be much faster than the non-native version. Initial tests have not shown any speed improvements and some processes have actually been a little slower. Undoubtedly this will change with System 8, which includes a PPC native File Manager.
I would like to allow the order of processing to be user-adjustable. Iﾕd like to rework the Preferences windows, perhap merging all preferences into one window with multiple, topical tabs, like those popular under Windows.
Future versions will most likely require System 7.0 or later. Supporting earlier systems is becoming more and more difficult. It really cuts into testing and debugging time and most users should be using System 7.0 or later because Apple is no longer supporting earlier versions.
Having seen preliminary versions of System 8.0, I know that I will need to make some more interface changes, especially in the file open and save dialog boxes. I will also need to do some more internal restructuring to take advantage of the enhanced disk I/O in 8.0.
If you have any special needs that should be addressed in the next release, let me know. As a rule, the needs of registered users (people whoﾕve sent me money) are addressed first.
･ Why should I register my copy of Add/Strip? Didnﾕt I already pay somebody for it when I downloaded it?
OK, hereﾕs the deal. I distribute A/S as shareware. I give it away, but itﾕs not free. You get a fully functional copy to use on your computer with your personal data. I donﾕt cripple it because I want you to be able to really use it.
I use several online services as vehicles to distribute copies of A/S. None of these services gives me a dime when any of my software is downloaded. The only way I see any money from A/S is when a user pays me.
I believe there is value in A/S. If you need to reformat TEXT files, it can save you time and money. Use it for a month or so. If you continue to use it, please pay for it. Thatﾕs really all there is to it. Donﾕt pay for A/S because Iﾕve spent hours and hours working on it. Donﾕt pay for it because Iﾕm a nice guy. Pay for A/S because it does what you need at a fair price.
CompuServe or ZiffNet users can register online quickly and easily! From either, GO CIS:SWREG. The Registration ID for Add/Strip is #5730; the site license version is #5731. Since the registration fee is charged to your CompuServe account, this is a convenient way for foreign A/S users to register without the hassle of currency conversion.
When you register, I will send you a disk containing the latest version of A/S, approximately 60 pages of printed documentation, a code to use to personalize your copy and remove the splash screen registration reminder, and some other software goodies.
I understand that not everyone will have a use for A/S. If you find that A/S isnﾕt something you need, please pass it along to a friend who might have a need for it. Thanks.
