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.
——— 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.
——— SndCataloguer ———
I have actually written a replacement for this program, named SndCataloguer™. This new program is Shareware (while SndCollector is Freeware). That program is many times better than SndCollector, e.g. it can read SoundEdit etc format sounds, snd suitcases, HyperCard stacks, applications containing sounds, and System 7 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!
Docs: 18 January 1995 Updated to reflect my new name and to use styled text
——— Dejal Userware ———
This program is being released as Freeware. You may give it away to anyone, provided you include this document with the software, and both are unmodified. Since it’s not Shareware, you may continue to use it without paying me any money, however if you’ve found it useful and want to donate something, I wouldn’t turn you down!
If you come across any bugs, please let me know. Rest assured I have checked it quite extensively, and found it works fine on my machine and those of my Beta Testers, but I accept no responsibility if it trashes your hard disk or blows up your Mac.
You may be interested in other programs I’ve written, including some high quality Shareware applications. Here are brief descriptions of just two of them:
• SndConverter Pro (Shareware): my most popular product to date; this application allows you to quickly convert a batch of sounds from one format to another. Additional options include the ability to downsample or compress sounds, filter the sound names, change sampling rates, convert 16-bit sounds to 8-bit, plus other features. It will help you find and extract sounds, and supports Apple events (file, folder and disk dropping), resolving aliases, and other features.
• QuickEncrypt (Shareware): drop a file on this application to quickly and securely encrypt it, or decrypt previously encrypted files. It is very configurable and has many features, including support for files of an unlimited length, multiple worksets, user-controlled password limitations, a default password, automatic encryption and/or decryption, verification of validity, the option of a standard source folder and various destination options, opening files once decrypted (via AppleEvents), and more.
Write to the address below, or contact me via e-mail, for more information. If you want to receive the Dejal Userware™ disk, which includes every program I have written and released as Shareware or Freeware, plus my sound catalogue, send US$5 or provide your credit card details. I can accept VISA, MasterCard, Bankcard, Diners Club and American Express, as well as cash & checks in any major currency or international money orders — I can even accept credit card orders via e-mail! I prefer cash (any currency, not only NZ$ or US$) for small amounts like US$5.
Please let me know if you use this program, by writing or e-mailing:
Snail: Dejal Userware, PO Box 33-1011, Takapuna, Auckland 1309, NEW ZEALAND
Internet: dejal@iconz.co.nz (preferred) or dejal@deepthnk.kiwi.gen.nz
Dejal Userware home page: http://amug.org:80/~dejal/
CompuServe: >INTERNET: dejal@iconz.co.nz or 100033,2435
I read the Internet mail every day, and will reply immediately (allow a day or two for net.delay), but only call CI$ once a fortnight, or less.
Note: my software is now available for anonymous ftp at ftp.amug.org in the /pub/dejal directory. Most of the software is also available on sumex-aim and its mirror sites, though my ftp site has the advantage of having all my software in the one directory, and you know they are the latest versions.
