Text2Clip is a simple program that will convert any text file (< 32k) dropped on it into a text clipping file and vice versa. That's it. Pretty simple, huh?
Why the heck did you write Text2Clip?
I wrote Text2Clip for three reasons. First of all, I am a college student, studying Computer Science, and I wanted some experience in writing a Macintosh program. Second, I don't like to open a text editor just to read a ReadMe file when the OS already has a clipping manager that I am paying for with space in memory. Finally, I needed something to do before school started in the Fall.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. I enjoy free software as much as the next guy, so this program is absolutely free. Besides, it does so little I can't really justify charging you even the amount of the postage stamp required to mail me a check.
If you are really dying to send me something, I would love to get an e-mail message from you. Even if you hate the program and can't believe you let it use up a precious 13,724 bytes on your hard drive, I would still at least like to hear that much.
Does Text2Clip have any MacOS 8 specific features?
Not yet (see the Future Plans section later in the document). Text2Clip can still operate more effectively in MacOS 8, though. If you have MacOS 8 and a Contextual Menu plug-in that allows you to open selected documents with an application of your preference, then you can select text or clipping files to be opened in Text2Clip instead of their own default application. There are a number of these plug-ins available as shareware. Two of them are CMM Plug-Ins by Trygve Isaacson, and CMTools by ビic de la Musse.
What do I need to use Text2Clip?
Text2Clip should work under any version of the Mac OS that supports Drag and Drop. I have only tested it under System 7.5.5, MacOS 7.6, and MacOS 8. You will also need a computer, text files, and/or clipping files.
Having trouble?
If you drop a text file or a text clipping on to Text2Clip and it doesn't change to the other type then a problem has occured. (This was the most profound statement in the entire document)
Before you send me a message about your difficulty check these two things:
･ Is the actual size of your file less than 32k?
-The actual size is the size in bytes listed in parentheses beside the "##k on Disk" in the
Get Info window for the file.
･ Is the file a text file or a clipping file?
-If the Text2Clip icon did not highlight when you dragged the file over it then your file
may not be a text or a clipping file.
(By this point, it would have been faster to open the text file in SimpleText and drag the contents to the desktop to create a clipping :-)
NOTE: I have done my best to make this program as stable as possible, but I realize I am not perfect so if I have missed something please bring it to my attention via e-mail.
My e-mail address: <banek@ballistic.com>
Please include the type of machine you use, the version of the OS that you have installed, and a description of the error that occured with your message.
Version History
･ 1.0 (08/27/97)
- Initial release
Future Plans
- Lower Text2Clip's memory requirements (I know, 61k isn't that much)
- Add the ability to convert between PICT files and picture clippings
- Convert the clipboard contents into a clipping on the desktop
- Open converted clippings in the file upon exiting Text2Clip
- Give the user the option of keeping the original file in addition to the converted one
- Split text files bigger than 32k into seperate clippings so that they can be converted
- Make a Contextual Menu plugin version of Text2Clip
I plan on implementing all of these features, whether or not there is a response to Text2Clip. If you are interested in any of these please let me know, so that I can release the next version to the public.
Please send me any suggestions, questions, comments, bug reports, tips, resum requests, or job offers to: <banek@ballistic.com>
Disclaimer
THE AUTHOR MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE FITNESS OF TEXT2CLIP FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE AUTHOR CLAIMS NO LIABILITY FOR DATA LOSS OR OTHER PROBLEMS CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY TEXT2CLIP.
