¬ Tabs2BestVariable Docs - Brief documentation for Tabs2BestVariable application.
Description:
------------------------------------
TEXT documents created on a DOS-based machine or a mainframe are invariably formatted inappropriately for use on a Macintosh®. They often contain unnecessary control characters, carriage returns, the wrong kind of quotation and apostrophe marks, and so forth. Manually reformatting these documents can be a tedious and time-consuming task.
Add/Strip (A/S) has been designed to automatically perform much of the work of cleaning up TEXT files destined for import to page layout, word processing, database, or spreadsheet programs, as well as export from these programs to a DOS-based or mainframe computer. All in a fraction of the time needed to manually reformat using a word processor.
Version 3.2 of A/S is the product of many hours of work, and is available as Shareware. If you use it, please pay for it. See the section entitled “Registration” for more.
Commands:
------------------------------------
--> See the online help (“About Add/Strip™…” menu item) for a more complete description of current functions and limitations.
--> Please note that “Strip CRs” is NOT the same as “Make Paragraphs.” If you plan on importing the text file to a page layout or word processing program you probably need to use “Make Paragraphs” or “Make Paragraphs2.”
Order of Processing:
------------------------------------
Remap characters if required by chosen remapping set
Replacement sets #1-150
Line Replacement sets #1-50
Strip control characters
Make ellipses
Make em dashes
Make ligatures
Leading string (done in main process if “Make Paragraphs” is chosen)
Strip trailing spaces
Quotes & apostrophes
Normalize spaces
Adjust case
Perform main process
Remap characters if required by chosen remapping set
BOF and EOF Insert Strings are inserted directly into the output file. A/S interprets any embedded ASCII character codes and, if the current character remapping set remaps outgoing characters, it remaps the characters as needed. No other processing is done.
Add/Strip 3.2:
------------------------------------
Fixes:
• Merge All properly creates a file instead of a folder and processes
• Process Select slider correctly adjusts after reading settings
• Fixed pattern display in processing thermometer
• Better support for processing very long lines
• Better interaction between ASCII chart window and “parent” dialog
• Improved reliability of replacement strings which ignore case
• Improved feedback when dragging list items or list insertion point
• Attempts to paste when a scrolling list is hilighted are now ignored
• File chunks are now read to the nearest CR
• Unreadable settings file no longer cancels opening of other D&D files in set
• No more address errors when New Folder is chosen in Folder picker
• No more bombs when loading settings files on 68000-based Macs
• Processing of D&D files is prevented if currently processing a file
• Improved handling of low memory situations
Changes:
• New Finder icons
• New Settings file format; A/S can read those created with 3.0 and later
• Increased memory requirements but reduced memory fragmentation
• Revised and added help text sections and Balloon Help balloons
• Force Line Width process now breaks lines at spaces and tabs
• ASCII Character codes use a “^” rather than a “#” before the number
• Slider replaces scrollbar in Process Select window
• Pop-up menus can be trigged by clicks in the title text
• Replacement windows are movable and modal
• Replacement windows use TrueType (when available) for full character set
• Renamed “Filter noise chars” checkbox to “Strip control chars”
• Process Select or Current settings window is hidden during processing
• Desk Accessories can no longer be opened from A/S while processing
• Quotes & Apostrophes curling is disabled for CSV -> Tab Delimited
• Quits after processing if A/S was opened by TEXT file drag & drop
• Dragged and dropped files are opened alphabetically, settings files first
• TEXT file creator can be chosen by selecting a specific application
• Aliases are shown when picking files, folders, and applications
• More application preferences are available from hierarchical menu
• A bunch of other odds and ends were adjusted as needed
New:
• Colored windows with optional beveling
• External files for topical help and Balloon Help
• Current Settings mini-window in Process Only mode
• Settings file name is shown in Process Select or Current settings window title
• Command/option clicking in settings window title bar for settings popup menus
• Line String Replacements Sets for replacing within a line & line removal
• New types of searching wildcards (any digit, letter, or chars sequence)
• Fixed String Insertions process to insert strings at fixed intervals
• Variable String Insertions process to insert strings at variable intervals
• Tab Delimited -> Variable2 process to convert to variable columnar
• Mac to Unix and Unix to Mac remapping sets
• Printing of most of the current settings
• Revert Window menu item for appropriate windows
• Select All command for edit text fields and replacement lists
• Output file icon display in the save file window
• Online help sections can be saved to TEXT files
• Progress bar uses window colors (System 7.x) or hilight color (System 6.x)
• Clicks on remapping set name in Process Select window picks new set
• Up and down arrow keys adjust selected pairs in replacements list
• Optional registration through CompuServe or ZiffNet (GO CIS:SWREG)
Edit A/S 3.2:
------------------------------------
Fixes:
• Blocked importing of remapping sets from the open copy of A/S
• Fixed bug which prevented some cursor sets from installing properly
• Remapping sets import properly from other copies of A/S
Changes:
• Revised Remove Resources window since help is now in external files
• Characters can now be removed or remapped using remapping sets
• CRs can be used in remapping sets when not translating immediately
• Character charts use TrueType (if available) for full character set
• A bunch of other odds and ends were adjusted as needed
• Cursor installation can be limited to B&W versions only
• Color cursors are drawn in color when not limiting to B&W versions
New:
• New Finder icons
• Application aliases are shown when opening a copy of A/S for editing
• Creates remapping set files with support for import and export of sets
• Current A/S user preferences can be made default preferences
• Last installed cursor set is remembered
• Created several remapping set files
• More animated cursors, perhaps too many…
Operating Tips:
------------------------------------
1. Read the online help CAREFULLY.
2. Don’t trash the original TEXT file until AFTER verifying that A/S has done what was expected. The “Browse TEXT File…” option may be used to do this, though 10-25K can be displayed.
3. Be certain to verify ALL settings, including replacement strings, before processing a file.
4. Consider processing a file 2 or more times to achieve the desired effect.
5. Because replacements are made blindly, use a word processor to do conditional character replacement instead of A/S.
6. Hold down the option key when choosing the “File” menu to access the “Browse ANY File…” and “Process ANY File…” menu items.
7. Make the most commonly used settings the default values by choosing “Save as Default,” and/or save them as separate files. Opening a settings file will open A/S, loading the values contained in that file.
8. Notify the author if you find a bug, or it may not get fixed.
Registration:
------------------------------------
Add/Strip is Shareware. This means that if you use it, you should pay for it. It’s that simple. I believe this a useful program at a reasonable price. I hope you feel the same. Please don’t rip me off.
Registering users receive a disk with the latest version (and a few other goodies), printed documentation, and may use future versions at no additional cost. Registration is $25. Site licenses, which allow for an unlimited number of copies to be used at a single location, are available for $100. Users who’ve already sent money and BBS operators may use this version free of charge.
CompuServe or ZiffNet users can register online quickly and easily! From either, GO CIS:SWREG. The Registration ID for Add/Strip is #5730; the site license version is #5731. Since the registration fee is charged to your CompuServe account, this is a convenient way for foreign A/S users to register without the hassle of currency conversion.
If you choose to not register your copy, AT LEAST send comments, suggestions, and/or bug reports. I can be reached at:
Jon Wind (A/S 3.2) <-- let me know which version you’re using
2374 Hillwood Drive
Maplewood, MN 55119
or
America Online: JWind
CompuServe: 70167,3444
Internet: jwind@aol.com
GEnie: JPWind
Acknowledgments:
------------------------------------
Thanks are extended to those individuals who’ve bothered to send money and to those who’ve offered suggestions for improvements, especially my fearless beta testers. This version of A/S could not have been created without your support.
Mandatory Disclaimer:
------------------------------------
A/S SHOULD work on Mac Pluses or better. It works on the Macs I’ve tested it on, but I cannot guarantee that it will on yours. If it doesn’t, please let me know and I’ll see what I can do to make it work.
