I have a large database of sounds, and had just finished typing in and capturing the names from Sound Mover™ files (Sound Mover is copyright by Riccardo Ettore), and just had the task of inserting the sizes of each of these sounds into the database. But, since I had about 500–600 sounds [I now have over 1,000!] needing their sizes noted and entered, I thought: why not write a program to do that for me? And here it is. It asks the user for a name and location to save the output file, and then allows them to repeatedly open Sound Mover or HyperCard files containing snd resources and add them to the output file, including all of the fields I have in my database (which is done in Omnis 5). This output file can then be opened directly by Omnis (or any other database program) and imported. The format is simply as follows, with each field separated by a tab:
Sound name Disk number Source code Size Origin Format Date
SndCollector 1.1 is much the same, but collects less information, is slightly easier to use, and writes the output to TeachText files.
Compatibility
This program should work on any Macintosh. I have only tried it on a Mac Plus at present, but it should work on the others also. Let me know if you have any problems, and I’ll try to fix them.
Instructions
See the Overview above for comments on use. I don’t really expect many people to use this application, so I can’t be bothered writing decent docs. So there. <grin>
P.S: You can change the creator and type of the output file by changing the relevant string resource.
Limitations & Known Problems
Well, it can’t do SoundCap, SoundEdit and other data-based sound formats: in fact it only reads Sound Mover suitcases and HyperCard stacks. I’m not aware of any problems from my alpha or beta testing, but if you come across any problems, please let me know.
Future Enhancements
I have actually written a replacement for this program, named SndCataloguer™. This new program is Shareware (while SndCollector is Freeware). That program is many time better than SndCollector, e.g. it can read SoundEdit etc format sounds, snd suitcases, HyperCard stacks, applications containing sounds, and the new System 7.x sound files. It also has a much more flexable output format, via a prefs dialog. Check it out.
1.0d1: 13-17 Mar 1991 Initial developmental version
1.0d2: 21-22 Mar 1991 Suppose I may as well finish it off properly…
1.0: 24 Mar 1991 Worked perfectly in practice, no need to beta, so
lets do a release version!
Acknowledgements
None.
About SndCollector…
I am releasing SndCollector as Freeware, which means that you may give it to anyone you like, and you don’t have to send me any money (though I wouldn’t be offended if you did!) Also, you may not charge anything for it, apart for the usual Freeware distribution charges. However, I ask that you send me a letter, postcard or e-mail to register as a user of this program (even if you don’t use it much!) as I maintain a database of my registered users, even for Freeware such as this. If you didn’t get this program from the Dejal Userware disk directly, please make sure you let me know where you got it from. Also, you may be interested in other programs written by me, including some high quality Shareware applications. Write to the address below, or contact me via e-mail, for more information. If you want to receive the Dejal Userware disk, send US$5 or provide your credit card details (I can accept VISA, MasterCard, Bankcard and American Express, as well as cash & checks in any major currency or international money orders) — I can even accept credit card orders via e-mail!
If you find any bugs, or would like any improvements done, please write to me and I’ll do my best to help you. Remember, this program is Freeware, not Shareware, so it is nowhere as good as my Shareware products, and hasn’t had anywhere near as much testing as them. Don’t judge the quality of my paying Shareware efforts based on free hacks like this one. Of course, I can accept no responsibility for any loss in profits, damage or whatever occurring from the use of this program (though let me know if anything like that happens!)
