As part of Developer Press' continuing efforts to provide technical documentation in HTML format, we are introducing a prototype HTML search engine on this month's disc. This application, called Apple HTML Local Search, provides a fast indexed search for local HTML documents, similar to Apple DocViewer's "Query" and Adobe Acrobat's "Search" features. See the files "Open Me First.html" or "Search Read Me" in the "Prototype HTML Documents" folder (within the "Technical Documentation" folder) for details.
Apple HTML Local Search is a very early prototype, and your feedback and comments are extremely important if we are to improve it to the point that it can become a regular part of the Reference Library CD. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey included in the Apple HTML Local Search folder. The first 100 respondents including their shipping address will receive a useless, yet sure to be cherished, small token of our appreciation.
Using Apple HTML Local Search
1. To use Apple HTML Local Search, launch the application; an alias is located within the "About this CD" folder at the top level of the March '96 disc.
2. The default browser has been set to Netscape. If you are using a browser other than Netscape, then use the Preferences menu item (in the Edit menu) to change the default browser. If you are using InternetConfig, your HTML helper application will be used.
3. Enter your search criteria and click the Search button.
4. Double-click on a file in the returned list of documents to launch that file with your Web browser (or, select the file and click the Open button).
In addition, you can select one or more of the files listed and click on the Find Similar button. Find Similar will search the current database for files that most closely match the currently selected document(s).
Browsing the Local HTML Content
If you just want to browse the content, a good place to start is the Developer Services home page.
Warning: This content is provided for the purposes of testing the way cool prototype search application. Some hyperlinks may be "broken" and some may connect to other web servers on the internet. Also, links to local PDF (Acrobat) files may result in your web browser opening the PDF file rather than launching Acrobat.
Highlights of what's in HTML:
• Selected develop magazine articles
• Recent Apple Directions issues
• A prototype of the QuickDraw 3D book
• Developer University online courses and course information
• Macintosh Technical Notes
• Macintosh Technical Q&As
• Other stuff...
In addition to a new version of Macintosh CD-ROM Setup and some new Technotes, here's what's new and revised this month.
About Developer University: This folder contains complete information on Developer University, the self-paced products that are available, the classroom courses, and course schedule for January 1996 through June 1996. Includes information on Developer University self-paced courses, classroom courses, field courses, course schedules, topics available on the World Wide Web and complete course outlines, prerequisites, and target audiences.
ADB Key Spy 2: This package provides a replacement for GetKeys by maintaining a key map reflecting the state of each keyboard attached to the Mac via ADB. Includes source code. In addition to solving the problem with the Adjustable Keyboard, this package is now a demonstration of several techniques, including:
• building a system extension
• using the ADB API
• "patching" ADB service routines
• building, installing, and using a driver
• mapping physical key codes to virtual key codes
AppleGlot 2.4b6: AppleGlot 2.4b6 is a text translation tool used by the Apple Localizers to localize Apple Software. AppleGlot extracts the text out of a resource file and dumps it into a text file for translation. Once translated, AppleGlot then replaces the original text by its translation into the resource file. In addition to the regular translation, AppleGlot handles updates from one version to another, and copies over resizeable items.
At Ease WG 3.0.1 Updater: The At Ease 3.0.1 Updater will update your current version of At Ease for Workgroups 3.0 to the latest version, 3.0.1. The changes in version 3.0.1 include enhancements for the networking environment and bug fixes. A detailed list of the changes is included in the ReadMe.
You can only use the Updater application on a workstation that has version 3.0 installed. The Updater will not run if you have an older version (2.x or a lower number) installed. If you have an earlier version of At Ease for Workgroups, you should first update it to version 3.0, then use the Updater.
Developer Notes: Descriptions of new hardware and software features, comparisons with existing CPUs, and expansion card design information. A new note this month describes the Power Macintosh 9500 Enhanced computers.
FindPrinter: A snippet showing how to determine the currently selected (network) printer. Includes a minimum test-harness to show that the code actually works. Works with GX and Desktop Printing.
Http Server: This is a functional OpenTransport sample that implements a Macintosh background process that will respond to simple HTTP requests via TCP/IP. It utilizes C++, exceptions, IOStreams, Mac Thread manager, OpenTransport (accepting connections and no copy reads).
jGNE Helper: This is "jGNE Helper", formerly a monthly posting to the Usenet newsgroup alt.sources.mac. It provides an example for INIT programmers interested in filtering events before they are handed to applications calling GetNextEvent (which is called by WaitNextEvent).
The jGNE filter is the Apple-sanctioned method for filtering events. It is possible to patch event traps. It is sometimes even advisable. But since the jGNE filter is the sanctioned method, one ought to attempt to use it before patching traps.
Note: Prospective users of this code should know that the plan of record for Copland does not include support for jGNEFilter. However, it is likely that Copland will include some form of global event filtering service. Carefully isolate your use of this code and you may be able to make the move to Copland without too much pain.
MoreFiles 1.4.1: MoreFiles is a collection of high-level routines written over the last couple of years to answer File Manager questions developers have sent to Apple Developer Technical Support. The routines have been tested (but not stress-tested), documented, and code-reviewed by Apple's Developer Technical Support. This release adds new routines and fixes several bugs.
MoreFiles provides: high-level and FSSpec style routines for parameter-block only File Manager calls; useful utility routines that perform many common File Manager related operations; a robust file copy routine; a recursive directory copy routine; a catalog searching routines; high-level and FSSpec style routines for Desktop Manager calls; and routines for dealing with pathnames. See the file "!MoreFiles Read Me" for a description of fixes & improvements in version 1.4.1.
STD File Saver 2.0: StdFileSaver 2.0 is a sample print driver written in C. It's based upon the STD File Saver 1.1 sample in Pascal that has been the only print driver sample available since 1991. It writes to PICT resources, so it's not too useful as is, but illustrates what needs to be done with a minimum of extra gunk.
Coming Next Month: Oh, who am i fooling... Looking back over my wild guesses of the past year, i don't think i've ever managed to correctly predict what's coming up, and i'll bet most of you out there have begun skipping this part entirely. So, this is the last appearance of the Coming Next Month paragraph; if you have a good idea for what to put in its place, drop me a line at dev.cd@applelink.apple.com.
