Note to archive administators: this version of NetStripper replaces v1.1, 1.1.2 & 1.1.4.
NB: although there seems to be a lot of legal information and postcardware stuff here, I can promise you that there is a proper description of NetStripper in this document. There's just rather a lot of stuff here at the beginning, so scroll down until you see 'What is NetStripper?' if you aren't interested in the small print.
New in this version
To sum up the new features in this version: a movable progress dialogue, the ability to process files in the background and AppleScript compatibility. All in all, quite an improvement on v1.1.4.
Legal Information
NetStripper is a postcardware 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. And send me a postcard, of course… However, this program must not be sold for profit, and I would be grateful if Shareware CD-ROM compilers and/or magazines 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, I accept 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 and are used for informational purposes only.
Postcardware
NetStripper is postcardware. What this means for you is that, if you find the program useful, I would appreciate a postcard of your home town from you - or an email message. Don't feel obliged to send a card if you don't want to, but please let me know somehow that you are using the program. People who've already registered an earlier version don't need to send a postcard, of course.
Probably the most important thing you can do, though, is let me know what your email address is, as only then can I keep you informed of when new versions are available.
My postal address is:
Adam Lloyd
Park Lodge
Bishops Down Park Road
Tunbridge Wells
Kent TN4 8XR
UNITED KINGDOM
System Requirements
NetStripper needs any Macintosh™ or Power Macintosh™ (version 2.0 isn't native, but that's definitely on the cards for the next major version) 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 okay, 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 added back in version 1.1. 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?
Warning: NetStripper replaces the original versions of the files it translates with the modified ones. You might want to keep copies of the original files in case something goes horribly wrong.
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.
Now, supposing I want to do something else while translating some files? Dropping two hundred 3k files on it means quite a wait, you know.
Believe me, I do know. By popular demand, version 2.0 of NetStripper includes the ability to process files in the background. What this means, simply, is that after dropping your two hundred 3k files on to its icon, or whatever your processing happens to be, is that you don't have to sit around looking at the progress bar for half an hour or more. Just click on a window belonging to another program, or use the Application menu at the top right-hand corner of the screen, to switch to any other running program or the Finder. NetStripper runs a bit more slowly in the background, but not much.
I hear this version is AppleScript compatible…
That's right, it is. If you open NetStripper's dictionary using the Script Editor (supplied with System 7.5), you'll see three commands in the NetStripper Suite: Mac to DOS, DOS To Mac and CR Strip. You can use these commands to process a file using your chosen translation mode. See the example script, NetStripper Scripting Example, supplied in the archive for an idea of how to use the scripting abilities.
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 v2.0, 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 freeware software projects that I start work on. Or, if you feel that way inclined, send me a postcard from your home town (my address is somewhere near the top of this document). Whatever you do, though, tell me your email address so that I can keep you informed of future versions as soon as they are available.
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.
1.1.2: 26th August 1995
Fourth public release: two interim private releases.
Progress bar added to processing dialog.
All translations speeded up minutely.
NetStripper is no longer normal freeware, but postcardware.
1.1.4: 26th August 1995
Fifth public release: one interim private release.
Bug where progress bar didn't function file files bigger than 32k fixed.
1.2: Date forgotten, but probably Sept '95
AppleScript added, but only distributed to a few registered users.
2.0: 23rd September 1995
Sixth public release: lots of interim public and development releases.
Background capabilities added and a couple of bugs ironed out.
AppleScript fully integrated for public consumption.
Progress dialogue can now be dragged around the screen.
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.
Eddy J. Gurney and Matt Slot for the Progress Bar CDEF 1.4 (their copyright).
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.
Peter Baum for suggesting the progress bar.
Bob Erickson for enquiring about the possibilities of AppleScript compatibility.
Special thanks go to Mike Coan, for helping an awful lot with the testing of earlier versions and v2.0, as well as suggesting numerous enhancements and pointing out little flaws in the program.
Anyone else I haven't mentioned specifically but who deserves it.
