I was asked to do this a few months ago and after spending parts of a VERY few days on it, I now have a version stable enough to release. I emphasize the very few days and the beta nature. With the recent availability of the FreeWare OzTeX program, I thought I should go ahead and release this despite its possible shortcomings. Version 1.0 DID have a couple of local beta testers and went through a few revisions, but don't consider this a commercial-quality product. (But, hey, it's free!) Version 1.1 adds OzTeX support.
What is MacMakeIndex? It is the TeX MakeIndex program for the Mac. Actually, it is the "portable" MakeIndex version 2.5 wrapped in the most rudimentary Macintosh shell. It seems to work. That's about all I care to say.
You are reading the only documentation currently available, and there is VERY VERY little help online under the Apple menu. Just open a TeX .idx file and choose GO from the file menu to begin processing (or use the Open & Go button to save a step). Other than that, I guess you gotta know how to use MakeIndex on the VAX or somewhere else. (But, hey, it's free!) The index and log files created will have the same type and creator as the input file. I.e., OzTeX input files will generate OzTeX output files, etc. That may make more sense for Textures than OzTeX since Textures has a built-in integrated text editor that will open Textures files. It also makes more sense for the index file than for the log file; but the log file has to be something, and the input file type and creator is a better guess than nothing.
This is MultiFinder "friendly" (i.e., accepts suspend and resume events) but only in a very restricted way. It will do nothing when in the background. Moreover, once you begin processing a file, MacMakeIndex will take over your whole machine, not allowing you to switch it out until finished. You might say it's MultiFinder-friendly only when you're doing nothing! (But, hey, it's free!)
The original MakeIndex v2.5 allocates a LOT of tiny pointers to do its work. That can badly fragment the Macintosh heap, and none of it has been changed. Furthermore, MacMakeIndex doesn't do much (any?) fancy Macintosh memory management and error checking so beware of pushing it too hard. For running under MultiFinder, the default memory size has been left at 384K. If you choose to display your masochism by running MultiFinder on a 1 Meg machine, or are otherwise hurting for memory, you may set the MultiFinder partition size lower to index small files. The suggested minimum in the Size resource is set at 150K (just a semi-empirical guess). Since I do no checking, you can set it as low as you dare for indexing very small files, but do so at your own risk. If you are indexing a really big file, you'll need to bump up the memory partition somewhat (your guess is as good as mine). (But, hey, ...you get the idea!)
Someday I may get around to putting the VMS help file into a List Manager routine under the Apple menu. But don't hold your breath. Feel free to send me bug reports. But REALLY don't hold your breath then.
Please see the accompanying ReadMe.MacMakeIndex file for copyright and distribution information.
Enjoy...
Johnny Tolliver (Tolliver%atf.mfenet@nmfecc.llnl.gov)
