Dick and Jane's Reader is a handy-dandy file displayer. (It is not an editor, and cannot be used to create, edit or save files.) On the other hand, it is an extremely versatile program and will display text or graphics or sound or QuickTime movies. Sort of an all-in-one file reader. There are a couple of things, besides all this that make it unique.
It will read text files greater than 32K in size and do a fair job of maintaining formatting. It will allow the opening of the same file twice, for side-by-side comparisons. It uses standard Mac windows, so you can have more than one document open at a time. It has a simple `Find' feature, and allows copying to the clipboard as well as printing.
It is also XTND-aware. So, look in your system folder and see if you have a folder called ``Claris''. If you do, then Dick and Jane's Reader will also read and display all of the file types included in the Claris' folder's Translation folder. This could easily mean TIFF, RTF, Microsoft Word, MacWrite II, WordPerfect, WriteNow, Claris CAD and so on, making Dick & Jane's Reader capable of reading nearly 100 different file types. (You can get these translators lots of places, but usually thru buying a commercial package that includes them, such as LinksWare[tm] or most all Claris products).
Even without the XTND translators, Dick and Jane's Reader will read regular text files; PICT and PNTG graphic files; AIFF and AIFC sound files; and play QuickTime moves (assuming that you have the QT init).
Secrets: At the request of users: Dick and Jane's Reader will wrap TEXT files to the size of the window automatically. Word processor files, on the other hand, because of their formatting, will not be resized (else what's the point of formatting?) If you wish to reverse these defaults on a case by case (window by window) basis, hold down the option key as you release the mousebutton after resizing a window.
Also at the users request: people with large monitors objected to the window opening full size. So, now they will open to screen size or 640 pixels wide, whichever is appropriate. If you want to open a document larger than 640, and you have a large monitor, you can do so by holding down the option key when opening the document.
It is also shareware. That means that if you use it, you really should send along the fee of $15 to Tracy Valleau, PO Box 834, Pacific Grove, CA 93950.
Thank you for supporting shareware.
Oh...the splash screen goes away when you hit any key or click the mouse.
Dick and Jane's Reader is copyright 1992 Tracy Valleau. All rights reserved.
