For SimpleText, TeachText, and other documents on hard disks and CD-ROMs.
What do these utilities do?
• Convert to Read/Write converts TeachText and SimpleText read-only documents into a read/write format that allows editing and copying of selections to the clipboard. It also has a useful feature for locked volumes, like CD-ROMs, whose format you can’t change — see the section on Locked Disks below
• Convert to Read-Only converts any document into the TeachText/SimpleText read-only format
What are the minimum requirements to use these utilities?
• You need System 7
• You need the Scriptable Text Editor to utilize the Locked Files feature
• They take almost no disk space (about 66K) and little RAM (100K - 200K).
• NOTE: These utilities DO NOT work with “AutoDoubled” files.
Why do I need these utilities?
• When software authors distribute their programs, they include one or more “Read Me” files (like this one). However, they often distribute them as SimpleText read-only files (the type whose icon looks like a newspaper). Unfortunately, SimpleText doesn’t allow you to select text in a read-only file to copy to the clipboard. This means that you have to manually type in the contact information, such as an e-mail address, to get in touch with the author. Convert to Read/Write will change such files back to a regular, editable SimpleText file without changing the contents of the file. You can then copy any contact information to the clipboard, as well as edit them like any other document.
• If you want to convert a text document to read-only, Convert to Read-Only will change any text document (not just SimpleText or TeachText documents, but any document saved as a ‘TEXT’ file) to a SimpleText read-only document (the type that looks like a newspaper). These types of documents prevent users from making changes. Just remember that SimpleText and TeachText have a 32K limit — if you create your document in another text editor and it exceeds the 32K limit, Convert to Read-Only will convert it to read-only, but SimpleText and TeachText will not be able to open it.
How do I use these utilities?
• Drag and Drop: These utilities can be used like drop-boxes — you drag and drop the files to convert on to them and they’ll convert all applicable files to the proper format. Additionally, you can drag and drop whole folders or disks on to the utilities to convert every applicable file to the new format. Note: You’ll probably have to rebuild your desktop before using drag and drop with these utilities. To rebuild your desktop, restart your computer and hold down the Option and Command keys until your computer asks you if you want to rebuild your desktop.
• Double-clicking: Double-clicking will start up the utility and wait for you to choose something to convert via the “Open…” command in the File menu.
• Through scripts: These applications are scriptable. The easiest way to learn how to script them is to record your actions using the Script Editor.
• To cancel the conversion once it has started, press Command-. (Command-period).
The icon didn’t change — what’s wrong?
• Usually, the Finder will update the files’ icons after the utilities run, but sometimes it doesn’t. If the file could be changed, then it was — try selecting it and choosing “Get Info”. This will force the Finder to update the icon.
What if the files are on a locked disk, like a CD-ROM?
• Recognizing that a lot of people (like me) get CD-ROM compilations of shareware and freeware, and that many “Read Me” files are read-only, I added a little feature to the Convert to Read/Write utility. When it comes across read-only files on locked volumes, it will ask you for the location of the Scriptable Text Editor (if it’s never launched it before and it’s not already running), launch it, then load the text of any read-only files into a new window. It will create a new window for each document (the Scriptable Text Editor allows up to six windows to open simultaneously) and load in the text, but not any graphics. This feature is convenient if you want to copy some information from a read-only file on a locked volume, but don’t want to go to the trouble of copying the file to your hard drive then converting it. If you want to see the original document with its graphics, you’ll have to double-click the document.
How do I get graphics in read-only files?
• To get graphics in Simple/TeachText read-only files, you need to insert option-spaces everywhere you want a graphic. Then you need to add the graphics to the file’s resource fork as a PICT. The first PICT is 1000 and others follow sequentially.
Are these utilities free?
• No, they are shareware. You must register them with me ($1 for one or both) if you find them useful and use them for longer than 30 days. I am committed to producing quality, bug-free software and your registration will help me to continue writing quality software.
• Registered users who have given me an e-mail address will receive updates (including a native PowerPC version) when they become available, if they request it.
Make checks payable to Michael Terry, and send them to:
Michael Terry
PO Box 136
Oakfield, NY 14125
Contact Information
You can contact me via e-mail at:
MaT101@aol.com
The “About Box” also has contact information, as well as a button that copies my e-mail address to the clipboard.
Please report any bugs or conflicts with other software to me as soon as you find them! Thanks!
Acknowledgements
Thanks to:
• Jim Stout for his excellent controls
• Leonard Rosenthol, Marshall Clow, and Stephan Somogyi for making the source code for DropShell available (from which I learned and incorporated a couple of techniques in the implementation of this program)
Revisions
1.0 - Initial release
1.0.1 - Code now properly checks for System 7.0
Fine Print
Michael Terry hereby disclaims all warranties relating to this software, whether express or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Michael Terry will not be liable for any special, incidental, consequential, indirect or similar damages due to loss of data or any other reason, even if Michael Terry or an agent of his has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event shall Michael Terry be liable for any damages, regardless of the form of the claim. The person using the software bears all risk as to the quality and performance of the software.
