NetStripper version 1.0.3 is a freeware application written by Adam Lloyd. This means that although the software is provided free of charge and may be freely distributed but not sold for profit, the author retains all rights to the application, its source code and all accompanying documentation and support files.
In addition, the author, Adam Lloyd, accepts no responsibility or liability for this application program or any damage it might cause to your computer system or your data. You use this software at your own risk.
Apple and Macintosh are both registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Any other trademarks used in this text are the property of their various owners.
System Requirements
NetStripper requires a Macintosh or PowerMacintosh running System 7 or higher. It will work without problems with System 7.5 and 7.5.1 and supports dragging and dropping in the Finder. It is possible that the program will work with System 6 but I wouldn't like to try it and haven't been able to do so.
NetStripper: what's it for?
I have found when using Netscape Navigator (and other World Wide Web browsers for the Mac), text files that I download to my system often have different end-of-line mark characters to the Macintosh that result in untidy files that need to be loaded into a word processor such as Microsoft Word before they can be read properly. Now, although that approach works just fine I find it to be rather clumsy and memory consuming, and I personally prefer to read my downloaded files in a text editor such as SimpleText.
So, I've written this small application which will automatically convert the end-of-line characters in PC and (I believe) unix text files to those used on the Mac. It is intelligent enough to create files that 99% of the time closely resemble the original, and will either delete end-of-line marks that are unnecessary or replace them with Mac end-of-line marks.
I apologise if the paragraph above doesn't make much sense to you, but if it doesn't, don't worry. More often than not you will find that NetStripper will convert your hard to read downloaded text files into properly formatted Macintosh documents.
So how do I use it, then?
Simply put a copy of NetStripper onto your desktop, or an alias, or, if you are using System 7.5.1 with the drag and drop Launcher control panel, put an alias there. Then, to convert downloaded text files to Macintosh files, simply drag their icons onto NetStripper's icon and sit back and watch (if you don't know how to drag icons, check your instruction manuals or the Macintosh Guide).
When you have dropped a text file (or several text files) onto NetStripper's icon, you will briefly see a dialogue box on your screen that tells you which file is currently being processed, and how many are left to be done. When all of the text files have been converted the dialogue box will disappear and you will be returned to the Finder.
Now, to check that the text files have been converted properly, have a look at it in your favourite text editor. You should see that the little squares that mark the ends of the PC or unix lines have disappeared and that the document is now formatted properly. If it isn't, NetStripper can't handle that sort of text file and I would be very grateful if you would email me an original un-NetStripped copy of the file (you'll probably have to download it again unless you were running copies through NetStripper), possibly with a copy of the badly formatted document that NetStripper created. I'll then do my best to sort things out and send you an upgraded version that will work.
Hang on a moment... how do I know if a file needs to be NetStripped?
This is simple: just open the downloaded text file in SimpleText and, if you see lots of little box-shaped characters in the document, you need to run it through NetStripper. Drop it into NetStripper's icon and then look at it in SimpleText again. The little boxes should have disappeared.
I've included a sample badly formatted text file in this archive which you can look at before and after NetStripper has processed it.
And that's all there is to it?
Just about. One thing I would like to point out, I think, is that NetStripper deletes the original files after converting them to Macintosh files and for that reason you may want only to use it on copies of your downloaded files. In fact, I would strongly recommend this, as there may well be bugs that I don't know about.
On the subject of bugs... if you discover any, please don't hesitate to let me know. You can contact me at adam@park78.demon.co.uk, and if the problem you have is in fact a bug I'll fix it, send you the upgraded NetStripper and add your name to the list of Thanked People at the end of this file.
Finally, if you decide to continue using the program, and find it useful, I would appreciate an email message from you saying something along those lines. In return I will send you all upgrades and bug fixes as soon as they are written.
Enjoy,
Adam.
5th May 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 versions.
1.0.3: 11th May 1995
The problem involving NetStripper refusing to run on a Mac IIfx has been fixed.
Apple menu options now all enabled.
Thanked People
MetroWerks, for producing the utterly amazing CodeWarrior.
Apple, for producing the equally amazing Macintosh (and PowerMac).
The family, for being supportive.
Demon Internet, for providing me with Internet access.
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.
Anyone else I haven't mentioned specifically but who deserves it.
