NetStripper is a freeware application written by Adam Lloyd. This means that you, the user, are entitled to use it and give it to anyone else you want, on condition that you include this read me file with the program. However, this program must not be sold for profit, and I would be grateful if Shareware CD-ROM compilers would let me know if they are going to put it on their disks: I have nothing against that and in fact positively encourage it, but would just like to know where it is going.
In addition, the author accepts no responsibility or liability for this program or any damage that it might cause to your data or your computer. Use with care, and use at your own risk.
All trademarks mentioned in this documentation are the property of their various owners.
System Requirements
NetStripper needs any Macintosh™ or Power Macintosh™ (unfortunately it isn't yet native, but I find that it runs at acceptable speeds on my PowerMac 6100/60) to run, with System 7 or higher (including System 7.5). One detail of which you must be aware is that the memory allocated to NetStripper, in the Finder's Get Info box, must be equal to the size of the largest text file you intend to process with an extra 50k added on. So, if your biggest file will be 123k the Minimum allocation in the Get Info box must be 173k. Any higher is OK, but any lower is not acceptable and may well result in a crash - it shouldn't, but it has happened.
What is NetStripper?
NetStripper is a utility that essentially takes DOS or unix formatted text files and converts them into Macintosh formatted text files. What this does is remove the DOS-specific characters from the files and leave them in a more easily readable state. Previously the only way to do this was to use a large word processor such as Microsoft Word or a text editor with search-and-replace, but this was cumbersome and so I decided to write a utility to automate the process.
NetStripper also contains two other translation modes: one takes a Macintosh text file and converts it back into DOS format, and the other performs a slightly more esoteric function that by popular demand I have added to this version. That function is to take any double carriage return characters in a Mac text file and turn them into a single carriage return, while deleting any single carriage returns that were there before. As I said it's a strange translation, but people seem to need it so I've added it.
How do I use NetStripper?
You use NetStripper simply by placing its icon, or an alias to its icon, in a prominent place on your desktop. Then, when you have a batch of files (or even a single file!) that needs translating just drop them onto its icon or alias and sit back to watch. A dialog box will appear on your screen, telling you the name of the current file, how many have been processed out of the total number dropped onto the icon, and the type of translation being performed.
To use the standard DOS to Mac translation all you need to do is drop the text files on to NetStripper. But to use the other translation modes you must hold down a certain key while NetStripper starts up.
So, to translate a Mac text file into a DOS text file, drop it onto NetStripper's icon while holding down the Command key (that's the one with the squiggly clover-leaf picture and the Apple symbol on it). Keep it held down until the progress dialog appears! In the Progress dialog NetStripper will say that it is using Mac-To-DOS mode, and that is exactly what will happen to your files.
The third function, dealing with the carriage returns, is activated by the Option key (labelled option on the keyboard). Again, drop the files you want to process on to NetStripper's icon, but hold down the option key as you are doing so, keeping it held down until the progress dialog appears. Single carriage returns will be removed from the file and double carriage returns will be changed into single ones.
And that's all there is to it?
Absolutely. NetStripper is intended to be a simple utility, and provided you follow the instructions above you should have no problems at all. There are no known bugs in v1.1, but please do make sure that you follow the memory guidelines laid out in the System Requirements section at the top of this document.
Of course, if you do find any bugs then let me know at adam@park78.demon.co.uk and I'll do my best to fix them.
Is there anything else I should know?
The only thing I ask you to do in connection with NetStripper is that if you use it, please send a message to adam@park78.demon.co.uk letting me know, including any comments you might have. In return I'll add you to a mailing list so that as a registered user you receive new versions before the rest of the world. You'll also receive sneak previews of future versions, and of any other software projects that I start work on.
But the main thing is that you find NetStripper useful and enjoy it.
Adam.
3rd July 1995.
Version History
1.0.0: 5th May 1995
First public release: no doubt packed with unsavoury bugs.
1.0d1 - 1.0d3: 5th - 11th May 1995
Private development releases.
1.0.3: 12th May 1995
The problem involving NetStripper refusing to run on a Mac IIfx has been fixed.
The Apple menu now works.
1.0d4-1.0d8: 15th - 2nd July 1995
Private development relases, some sent out to the registered users.
1.1: 3rd July 1995
Third public release: highly unpleasant memory bug fixed.
Two new translation modes added at users' requests.
Interface modified slightly to include translation type in progress dialog.
Some operations speeded up slightly.
Documentation rewritten.
Thanked People
MetroWerks, for the utterly amazing CodeWarrior.
Apple, for the equally amazing Macintosh and PowerMac.
Demon Internet Ltd, for providing me with Internet access in the UK.
Jim Carr, for discovering that v1.0 didn't work at all on a Mac IIfx and being very patient while I sent him countless versions over a period of three or four days.
Herb Wideman for suggesting the CRCR->CR, CR->nil! feature.
Mike Coan for assisting in the testing of the Mac to DOS feature, and for suggesting it.
Anyone else I haven't mentioned specifically but who deserves it.
