II. It can read the data from almost any file including Stacks, word processing documents, paint documents, and most saved games.
III. It can save any data extracted from a file in a form readable by TeachText, BBedit, Word 5.0+, and other word processors.
IV. And more planned for the future...
•The Fox Retrieval Utility 2.0 has many new features .
1. A entirely new look and feel. (i.e. the interface has been redesigned.)
2. The text field which you view files with has been enlarged.
3. A new menu has been added.
4. You can now search the text through a new command.
5. The clumsy copying and pasting has been made much easier.
6. This program now tells you when the file has no Data Fork is available.
•Opening a File: To read the text from any word processing document follow the below instructions.
1. Open "Fox Retrieval Utility".
2. Click anywhere on the screen to go to the Command Screen. The control palette will appear automatically.
3. Click on the button that looks like a magnifying glass examining a question mark or choose "Read File" from menu "Fox Utilities" and select the file you wish to import from.
4. Select "OK" or hit "Return" and the file will be read.
5. Almost immediately after the file should appear in the scrollable field. (The length of the wait depends on the size of the file.)
6. You can browse through the file using the arrows on the field. You may alter the text in any way before saving.
7. If you wish you may now 'Save' or 'Clear' the screen. (See 'Saving a File' and 'Clearing the Screen')
8. When you are finished choose "Quit Fox Retrieval Utility" from the file menu to exit the program.
•Saving a File: To save a file just follow these simple instruction.
1. Push the button showing an arrow from a magnifying glass to that of a document on the palette, or choose "Save Text" from menu "Fox Utilities"
2. Type the name you with the file to be saved as in the appropriate box. (It is a standard save box.)
3. Push 'OK' or type return.
4. The file is now saved.
•Clearing the Screen: To clear the screen of other information just read along.
1. Push the button resembling a trash can or choose "Clear Text from the menu "Fox Utilities".
2. Select 'OK' to clear screen.
3. The screen should now be clear.
•Fast Save: Fast Save lets you convert files that are larger then 30,000 characters (unlike Save File) to activate this command just read along.
1. Push the button which has an arrow pointing from a question mark to a document.
2. Select file like you were to read it.
3. Then complete the transfer like you were saving the file.
•Other Uses For Fox Retrieval Utility 2.0: This is where the fun begins, because this program sprung from my curiosity about the data fork (where text and other information normally is) of certain programs this program can read any data fork. (which makes it perfect to read mystery text files.) This means that you can poke around your computer opening a myriad different types of files, such as Stacks (HyperCard files) and even applications. To do this follow the instructions listed under Opening a File and you will be surprised at what you find. For example when opening a stack you will be able to read the scripts. Try it! I think you'll be surprised.
•Copying Text Out of the Field: To copy text out of a field just select it like normal and copy it.
•Trouble Shooting: Read this section to avert any possible problems.
Problem: There are strange symbols mixed in with the text.
Answer: This is normal. What is happening is that the file you read is not entirely text so these strange characters appear.
Problem: After the cursor has left the field text stays selected.
Answer: This will not cause a problem and is one of the things I hope to fix.
Problem: I can't open a file and it keeps giving me a dialog that says. "Error file open by other application."
Answer: The file is being used by another program. To solve this quit your other open applications, and if it still persists then it is probably being used by Finder. In this case make a copy of it then try again on the copy.
Problem: I try to Fast Save or read a file and it says "No data fork available."
Answer: The file has it's information in the resource fork which prevents it from being opened by Fox Retrieval Utility.
•Question or Comment: Talk to me via E-Mail at CLF. Remember I can fix it if I don't know it's broken.
