I frequently need to look at large text files, eg ftp index files, but I have found that the currently available text editors / word processors are not exactly suitable for the job. For example SimpleText won't read files bigger than 32K, and although Word can read large files, you could die of old age waiting to start it up, and it is very memory hungry.
Also, even if a file is less than 32K, SimpleText shows annoying squares down the left hand side of the window with MS-DOS text files, and doesn't recognise line endings in Unix text files at all.
TextBrowser is:
• Free
• Starts up quickly
• Doesn't need as much memory as MS Word
• Correctly reads Macintosh, MS-DOS, and Unix text files
• Is Apple Event aware
• Can display a file in Hexadecimal if necessary
• Can open the file with another application, eg ResEdit if requested
• Is Fat Binary - ie it runs 680x0 or Power Mac native
TextBrowser is not a word processor or a text editor. It does not correctly display non-text, e.g. word processor, files. It can however display these files in Hexadecimal mode so you can still view and copy text imbedded in these documents. It does not display styled text or non-Roman alphabets. It will display in any font you like as long as it is Monaco.
To display a file, drag its icon onto TextBrowser's in the Finder, or Open it from TextBrowser's File menu. I find it useful to leave an alias to TextBrowser on the desktop. If drag and drop doesn't work, try rebuilding your Desktop File.
Text may be selected and copied in the usual way, and the "Find…" and "Find next" commands are self explanatory. Case sensitive Find-ing can be selected by checking the "Match Case" check box.
If you have Macintosh Drag and Drop installed or you are using System 7.5 or later you can copy the selection by dragging it onto any Drag Aware application (or the Finder, to make a text clipping).
TextBrowser converts text to Mac format when copying. This feature can be turned off in the Preferences if you want to copy non-Mac text in its original Unix or MS-DOS format.
Command clicking on a selection uses Quinn "The Eskimo!" and Peter Lewis' "Internet Config" to open a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).
Internet Config is a "must have" if you use your Mac for surfing the Net. It is available from "ftp://ftp.share.com/pub/internet-configuration/" or the major Mac umich or info-mac mirror sites. (TextBrowser does not use TextEdit, so the ICCee extension does not need to be installed)
Checking "Quit when last window is closed" in the Preferences will make the application quit if the last window is closed (what else?).
Shortcuts:
• double click selects a word
• triple click selects a line
• option double-click selects a URL instead of a word
• command-click asks Internet Config to open a URL
• Unix "More" key commands ie
<page up> or "b" - back one page
<space> - forward one page
<home> or "t" - top of document
<end> - bottom of document
"h" - hexadecimal mode
"a" - ascii mode
"q" - quit
TextBrowser does not open the resource forks of files, however you can set a "helper" application Preferences, which can be a resource editor like ResEdit or Resourcerer. This can be launched by selecting "Open using…" it from the File menu.
Known Bugs
Printing sometimes looks messy, and there is no check for command-period while paginating a large document.
Opening many windows at once may sometimes crash the application.
I am working on fixes for these.
Feedback
I am happy to hear from you via email. Please send any comments, bug reports, or constructive criticism to me at "jlamb@gil.com.au". The latest version of this program can be downloaded from my WWW Home Page at "http://www.gil.com.au/~jlamb/".
TextBrowser is written in MetroWerks C using MetroWerks PowerPlant™ application framework.
Legal Stuff
TextBrowser is supplied on an "as is" basis and is used at the user's own risk. I take no responsibility for any damages either direct or consequential arising from the use of this software.
TextBrowser is copyright 1995 by John Lamb. Permission is granted to copy and distribute the program provided no fee is charged for the software, apart from reasonable costs of the copying and media, and provided also that this documentation accompanies all copies distributed and that the program is distributed intact.
