Salt Lake City, Utah--August 7, 1995--TopSoft, Inc. today released its first public beta of their innovative new Macintosh software utility called ╥FilterTop.╙
Description
FilterTop is a file batch processing utility that uses a friendly graphical interface to allow the user to perform a series of ╥filtration╙ operations on files. These operations are provided via plug-in modules and are configured by the user dragging iconic representations of the Filters into the workspace called the ╥Pipeline╙. The Filters have input and output ports. They are plumbed together to form a pathway for the files to flow through. As each file flows through a Filter, it is changed in some specific way, and then sent out one of many possible output ports onto the next Filter in the series. Files are loaded directly into the File Queue using Drag & Drop, or by using the Standard File Dialog to select them. Once processing begins, the files ╥flow╙ out of the File Queue into the first Filter of the Pipeline. Feedback on the processing is provided to the user when the Filter icons and pipes are hilited as files flow through them. As files flow out the bottom of the Pipeline the user is prompted to rename them for saving if they weren╒t already renamed by a previous Filter. Also, this ensures file safety.
Filters can perform any kind of operation on any kind of file. The only limitation is the user╒s imagination. The initial version of FilterTop comes with over 30+ Filters. Most of these are File info and text-based Filters but as time goes on, TopSoft expects that users and 3rd party developers will develop Filters for graphics, sound, and resource-based file operations. Filters can also send files or data off to other applications using AppleEvents. A few examples of some Filters are ╥Concatenate,╙ which lets you merge multiple files into one; ╥Find & Replace,: which lets you search for specific text and replace all occurrences of the found text with other text specified by the user; ╥Macify,╙ which lets you change files to and from Mac style text, including ╥smart╙ quotes, tabs, carriage returns, line feeds, and ligatures.
The whole Pipeline of Filters their configuration is called a ╥SuperFilter╙ and can be saved as a special kind of file (called a Toplet) which allows the user to drop a batch of files directly on it to filter. The SuperFilter/Toplet is actually a very small application which runs, sends the series of Filters to FilterTop, then sends the collection of files off to the now open SuperFilter to process. The user can then start the processing manually or the SuperFilter can be saved in an ╥auto processing╙ form which tells FilterTop to run the filtration automatically.
Significance
Performing a number of operations on a batch of files can be a long and tedious process to do manually. Until now this kind of computing capability has been sorely lacking and only possible by those who could program. Graphical programming applications are nothing new, but ones that are easy enough to use and that are oriented towards the everyday computer user are scarce if not nonexistent. FilterTop provides a simple, elegant way for the everyday computer user to program repetitive operations on their files.
FilterTop uses ╥threaded╙ technology to allow multiple processes to operate at the same time. The user can start one filtration going and then continue with their other work or edit and run other filtration processes. Because FilterTop is AppleEvent driven, other applications can send files to FilterTop to process. In future versions the FilterTop Engine will be separated into its own Shared Library that can be used by any process or application to perform filtration work.
FilterTop╒s modular approach provides a seamless way to extend its functionality. Filters are very small (as small as 3k bytes) and extremely easy for developers to create. TopSoft has several templates, guides and examples available to the developer to assist in the creation of new Filters.
TopSoft╒s non-profit status, and Internet foundation, provide a way for users all over the world to access and participate in this exciting, ground-breaking technology in a timely and inexpensive fashion.
Availability
FilterTop is a copyrighted, freely available product. Its use and distribution are covered by the TopSoft License, v1.1. It is available by anonymous ftp at topsoft.org. It should be available soon in the general download areas on most online services.
Further information can be obtained on TopSoft╒s web pages at:
http://www.topsoft.org
Background
TopSoft is an Internet-based Macintosh Programming group. Its mission is to develop innovative high-quality free or minimal cost software. TopSoft is a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Utah. Membership is open to anyone interested in participating in Internet-based cooperative projects.
TopSoft was formed in September 1991, when Steve Jovanovic, a computer engineering graduate student at Marquette University, asked readers of the comp.sys.mac.programmer Usenet newsgroup if anyone was interested in collaborating on a small project. The reply was overwhelmingly and the result was the formation of TopSoft six months later. TopSoft is governed by a Board of Trustees and managed by its organizational officers.
For further information on TopSoft, contact the current president, Tony Jacobs, by email on the Internet at: info@topsoft.org or topsoft@reststop.com. You can also mail to: 3247 Kenton Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84109.
