@database "FileConv.guide"
@node Main "FileConv.guide

                                 FileConv
                               Version 2.00
                         (C) 1997 Adrian O' Neill

Table of Contents:

    1.0     @{"Introduction" link L10}
      1.1     @{"Licence" link L11}
      1.2     @{"Disclaimer" link L12}
      1.3     @{"Improvements over v1" link L13}

    2.0     @{"Installation" link L20}
      2.1     @{"System Requirements" link L21}
      2.2     @{"Installing FileConv" link L22}
      2.3     @{"Un-installing FileConv" link L23}

    3.0     @{"CLI Usage" link L30}
      3.1     @{"CLI Examples" link L31}

    4.0     @{"Workbench Usage" link L40}
      4.1     @{"FileConv Window" link L41}
      4.2     @{"The Menus" link L42}
      4.3     @{"FileConv Options" link L43}

    5.0     @{"Miscellaneous" link L50}
      5.1     @{"Registering FileConv" link L51}
      5.2     @{"If you find any bugs!" link L52}
      5.3     @{"Glossary" link L53}
      5.4     @{"Contacting the Author" link L54}
      5.5     @{"Future Developments" link L55}
      5.6     @{"Acknowledgements" link L56}


All documentation and programs (C) 1997 Adrian O' Neill.
Guide for FileConv v2.00 - Guide revision 2.00

@endnode

@node L10 "1.0 Introduction"

                               Introduction

FileConv is an easy-to-use program that allows you to take plain ASCII text
files produced on your Amiga and change them into a format suitable for use
on PC and Apple Macintosh computers.

When you normally take a file produced by ed, MEmacs, or any other ASCII
based text editor (or word-processor saving in 'plain text' mode), when you
try and import the file into Word for Windows, Write, Edit etc. on a PC or
Mac you may see something like this:

         The word ProcessorHas forgotten about theEnd of each line

FileConv will format the file so that when you import the file, you will
see what you originally typed, and not one big long garbled line.

At this point, you should note that FileConv cannot read nor write PC
disks, you'll need CrossDos or some other method to use PC disks.

FileConv can also be used to prepare documents for the WWW - the format
that PC text files use is the same format for WWW documents.  This
especially important if you intend to use <PRE> tags (or similar).

If needed, FileConv can also transfer PC or Mac text files to Amiga format,
but since most Amiga editors happily use PC or Mac text files without
complaint, you should not have to use this option too often.

The other most important function that FileConv performs is Character
Conversion.  Special characters, such as `ë` and `°`, which are often used
in languages other than English, do not convert correctly when transferring
files to or from a Macintosh.  Fileconv converts these characters when
required.

Some important things to note about FileConv:

a) FileConv only works with TEXT files - files not saved using 'text only'
options cannot be handled by FileConv

b) You need to have some way (eg. CrossDos, MessyDos) to write to PC disks
in order to take your converted file to a PC Machine

d) FileConv is e-mailware - see the licence!


Before using FileConv, read and accept the disclaimer and licence.


    @{"1.1 Licence" link L11}
    @{"1.2 Disclaimer" link L12}
    @{"1.3 Improvements over v1" link L13}

@endnode

@node L11 "1.1 Licence"

                                  Licence

FileConv is e-mailware.  "What?" I hear you cry - well this means that if
you use FileConv and find it useful, you MUST e-mail the author if you have
e-mail facilities.  On e-mailing the author, you will receive an unique
registration number which you can use to @{"register FileConv" link L51}.

Registering FileConv will remove the request to register that appears each
time you start FileConv.  The unregistered version is the full version,
i.e. it is not crippled in any way.

Your e-mail address will be kept private and not passed on to any other
third party - I can't stand junk e-mail either!

Just mail me with what you think of FileConv - that's all you need to do to
register!  Mail me NOW at:

                              aon@bigfoot.com


Should you wish to donate anything for using FileConv, this would be
greatly appreciated - I live in N. Ireland, so any UK £ would be most
welcome, as would any US $, since I am going to work in the US over the
summer.  If any commercial organisations use FileConv, a shareware fee of
$15 or £10 is required.  Mail me for my address.


For redistribution purposes, FileConv can be considered Freely
Distributable, subject to the following:

a) If you redistribute FileConv, the WHOLE archive must be distributed,
including all documentation, unaltered in any way

b) FileConv must not be sold for profit, except for distribution costs

c) If FileConv is to appear in any compilation disk or CD (except Fred Fish
and Aminet), coverdisk, fanzine etc. written permission must be obtained
first

d) FileConv and it's related documentation is Copyright (C)1997 Adrian O'
Neill.

Source (Blitz Basic II) is freely available - Contact the Author

@endnode

@node L12 "1.2 Disclaimer"

                                Disclaimer

PROGRAM DISCLAIMER: THE PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF
ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE OF ANY PROGRAM IS ASSUMED
BY YOU.  Should the programs prove defective, you (and not Commodore or its
dealers or the author of FileConv) assume the entire cost of all necessary
servicing, repair, or correction.  Further, neither Commodore nor the
author of FileConv warrants, guarantees, or makes any representations
regarding the use of, or the results of the use of, the programs in terms
of corrections, accuracy, reliability, currentness, or otherwise; and you
rely on the programs and results solely at your own risk.

Yes I did steal this from DICE... (sorry!)
Does anyone actually read this?  Does anyone actually understand this?

@endnode

@node L13 "1.3 Improvements over v1"

                           Improvements over v1

FileConv has been completely rewritten, and there have been so many
improvements that it is impossible to list them all.  The most important
ones include:

1.  Support for Apple Macintosh

2.  Extended Character conversion facilities for Mac

3.  Better file selection, ability to select directories

4.  Abandonment of 'automatic' functions, .ami/.pc extensions

5.  Better CLI support (note different arguments required!)

6.  Tab support

7.  On-line help

8.  Install script

@endnode

@node L20 "2.0 Installation"

                               Installation

This chapter explains how to install FileConv on your system.  Unlike most
Amiga programs these days, FileConv actually does not require any advanced
editing of startup-files etc. - FileConv is relatively easy to install.

If you experience any problems installing or trying to run FileConv, please
feel free to @{"contact me" link L54}.


    @{"2.1 System Requirements" link L21}
    @{"2.2 Installing FileConv" link L22}
    @{"2.3 Un-installing FileConv" link L23}

@endnode

@node L21 "2.1 System Requirements"

                            System Requirements

FileConv can be run from both the CLI and from the Workbench.

In order to use FileConv from the Workbench, you will need to have
Workbench 2.0 or greater, and the library reqtools.library installed.

Workbench version 1.3 or greater is required to run FileConv from the CLI.

@endnode

@node L22 "2.2 Installing FileConv"

                            Installing FileConv

If you do not have a hard disk drive, then make a copy of your original
Workbench disk, boot from this copy disk, and install FileConv on the copy.

If you have Commodore's installer utility, then simply double-click on
"Install" and FileConv will be installed on the disk or hard drive
partition that you specify.

If you don't, then you have a (little) more work to do.  Create a drawer
named "FileConv" on the (hard) disk where you want FileConv to be
installed.  Drag across the four files ("FileConv", "FileConv.guide",
"Readme" and "Register") into the new drawer.  If reqtools.library is not
in the libs: directory of your system then you will have to drag this file
over into your libs: directory (you may have to "show all files" to see
it).  If you intend using FileConv from the CLI then you should add the
line:

path <dir> add

to your s:user-startup or s:startup-sequence file, where <dir> is the full
path of the drawer that you created.  If you intend using FileConv from the
Workbench only then this step is unnecessary.

@endnode

@node L23 "2.3 Un-installing FileConv"

                          Un-installing FileConv

What would you want to do that for?!

If you ran the installation script, then all you have to do is run the
Uninstall script.  Ignore the fact that the installer says that you are
installing FileConv.  When the script is finished, delete the FileConv
drawer if you don't have any files in it.

If you didn't run the install script, simply delete the directory that
contains FileConv and it's associated files.  If you added a path statement
to s:user-startup then remove it.

@endnode

@node L30 "3.0 CLI Usage"

                                 CLI Usage

The CLI version should only be of interest to those of you who are using
Workbench 1.3 - those using Workbench 2.0 or later should use FileConv from
the @{"Workbench" link L40}

Cli usage:
FileConv <Options> <Parameter list> <File list>

Where options are:
-d  *Select dest. directory   -a  Convert to Amiga Format
-r  Replace existing files    -p  Convert to PC format
-c  Convert extended chars.   -m  Convert to Mac format
-f  Minimise files            -b  Convert Binary files
-x  Remove binary from files

Tab options:
-l  Leave tabs unchanged      -s  Convert tabs to spaces
-t  Convert tabs to spaces    -u  Convert tabs to tabs
-i  *Select source tab length -o  *Select dest. tab length

Options marked * take a parameter.


The options can be called up by typing FileConv ?

At the very least, you must specify a format to convert files to, one of -r
or -d to replace files/select a destination directory, and at least one
file or directory to be converted.

Note that currently, FileConv does not understand wildcard characters: you
must only enter filenames or directory names.


Available options:

-a, -p, -m: Format specifier
These options specify which format you want the file converted to.  You can
only use one of these options on the command line.

-d: Select dest. directory
The next non-option argument is taken as a directory in which all converted
files will be placed.

-r: Replace existing files
Once a file has been converted, the original file will be deleted and the
converted file will replace it.  Use with care!  Cannot be used with the -d
option.

-c, -b, -f, -x: Other Options
The options "Convert extended chars.", "Minimise files", "Convert Binary
files" and "Remove binary from files" are identical to the same checkboxes
in the @{"Other Options" link L43} window, and are explained there. Include the argument
if you want to use that particular option.

-l, -s, -t, -u: Tab options
The options "Leave tabs unchanged", "Convert tabs to spaces", "Convert tabs
to spaces" and "Convert tabs to tabs" are identical to the tab option in
the @{"Other Options" link L43} window, explained there.  You can only use one of the tab
options on the command line.  If you do not use any, the default is to use
-l ("Leave tabs unchanged").

-i: Select source tab length
The next non-option argument is taken as the source tab length.

-o: Select dest. tab length
The next non-option argument is taken as the destination tab length.


For most uses, one of the following two sets of options should suffice:

FileConv -<format> -dcfx <destdir> <file1> <file2> <dir1> <dir2> ...

Where <format> is the destination format, and <destdir> is where you want
the converted files placed, or:

FileConv -<format> -rcfx <file1> <file2> <dir1> <dir2> ...

to replace the existing files.

Read the @{"Examples" link L31} page for more information.


    @{"3.1 CLI Examples" link L31}

@endnode

@node L31 "3.1 CLI Examples"

                               CLI Examples

Some examples to help you understand how FileConv works:

Assume the directory Data:amigafiles/ contains files created on an Amiga
text editor.
Assume the directory Data:pcfiles/ contains files created on a PC text
editor.
Assume the directory Data:macfiles/ contains files created on a Mac text
editor.
Also assume Data:dest/ is an empty "destination" directory.

The following illustrates what would happen if the following commands were
entered on the CLI:


FileConv -d Data:dest -p Data:amigafiles/file1

The Amiga file1 would be converted to PC format and placed in the directory
Data:dest/


FileConv -rxa Data:pcfiles

All files contained in the pcfiles directory including binary files will be
converted to Amiga format, replacing the original files.


FileConv -d Data:dest -p -cu -i 3 -o 8 Data:macfiles/file1

The Macintosh file1 would be converted to PC format and placed in the
Data1:dest/ directory.  Extended characters would be converted, and the
format of the document would be altered so that instead of using a tabspace
of 3 a tabspace of 8 would be used.

@endnode

@node L40 "4.0 Workbench Usage"

                              Workbench Usage

Using FileConv from the Workbench is simple.  If you are not sure what
FileConv actually does, please read the Introduction first.

The Workbench version has an on-line help facility.  For help on anything
on the FileConv window, position the mouse over the area that you require
help on and press the [Help] key.

FileConv has some advanced features - If you use FileConv regularly, then
you should read all of the sections below, but here is a short example of
how FileConv is normally used:

Start FileConv up.  The window should appear on your screen.  First, click
on the @{"Add Files" link L414} button.  FileConv will now ask you to select some files
that you want to convert.  Select a text file, and click on OK.

Next, either select the @{"Replace Existing Files" link L414} checkbox to replace the
file(s) that you have selected, or click on @{"Dest. Dir:" link L415} to select a
directory to store the converted file.

Finally, @{"choose a format" link L416} to convert the file to from the list, and click on
@{"Convert" link L419}.  After a short delay, the file(s) that you have chosen will be
converted to the appropriate format.


    @{"4.1 FileConv Window" link L41}
    @{"4.2 The Menus" link L42}
    @{"4.3 FileConv Options" link L43}

@endnode

@node L41 "4.1 FileConv Window"

                              FileConv Window

First, for help on any area of the FileConv window, press [Help] with the
mouse over that particular area.

The window consists of a large box at the top, with many buttons beneath
this box.  The box contains a list of all the files and directories that
will be converted when you choose @{"Convert" link L419}.

The various buttons etc. are:

    @{"Add Files" link L411}
    @{"Add Dir" link L412}
    @{"Remove" link L413}
    @{"Replace Existing Files" link L414}
    @{"Dest. Dir:" link L415}
    @{"Convert files to: list" link L416}
    @{"Other Options" link L417}
    @{"Help" link L418}
    @{"Convert" link L419}
    @{"Iconify" link L4110}
    @{"Quit" link L4111}

Select a link above for more information.

Many buttons have a letter underlined.  You can simply press the underlined
key as a shortcut to avoid using the mouse.

@endnode

@node L411 "4.1.1 Add Files"

                                 Add Files

This allows you to add one or more files to the list of files that will be
converted when you select @{"Convert" link L419}.  Simply select files from the file
requester that will appear.  To select more than one file at a time, use
the [Shift] key to select the files.  When you have finished, click on Ok
to confirm your selection, or Cancel to cancel.

The file requester has advanced pattern matching facilities.  Clicking on
"Match.." and entering the pattern like #?.txt may come in useful if you
are converting from a PC.

"Clear" will de-select any files that you have already selected in the file
requester.  "All" will select all the files there.

@endnode

@node L412 "4.1.2 Add Dir"

                                  Add Dir

This will bring up a file requester that allows you to add a directory to
the list.  When you click on @{"Convert" link L419}, all files in that directory will be
converted.

Note that this function is not recursive, i.e. only the files that are in
the immediate directory will be converted, any files in any other
subdirectory will not be converted.

@endnode

@node L413 "4.1.3 Remove"

                                  Remove

This will remove an entry from the list of files/directories that will be
converted.  To remove an entry, click on it with the left mouse button and
select "Remove".

@endnode

@node L414 "4.1.4 Replace Existing Files"

                          Replace Existing Files

When the checkbox beside this entry is selected (i.e. there is a tick in
the box) then any files in the list above, as well as any files in the
directories will be written over with the new converted files.  Use this
option with care!  Once overwritten, the original files will not be
retrievable!

@endnode

@node L415 "4.1.5 Dest. Dir:"

                                Dest. Dir:

This option will allow you to select a directory to place all the newly
converted files.

If this directory contains a file with the same name as one of the files
that are being converted, then FileConv will append the extension ".1" to
the new file.  If you have more than one file with the same name to be
converted, then the extensions ".2",".3",... will be used.

@endnode

@node L416 "4.1.6 Convert files to: list"

                          Convert files to: list

From this list you select the computer that you are going to use the new
converted files on.  For other computers, a rough conversion guide is:

Amiga:  Similar to most UNIX based systems
PC:     Similar to Amstrad CPC computers
Mac:    Rather unique!

Note that character conversion was not designed for UNIX or CPC computers,
so this function will not work on these systems.

@endnode

@node L417 "4.1.7 Other Options"

                               Other Options

This function will bring up the @{"Other Options window" link L43}, from which you can
choose advanced preferences.  Follow the link for more information on this
window.

@endnode

@node L418 "4.1.8 Help"

                                   Help

This will bring up a small Help window.

@endnode

@node L419 "4.1.9 Convert"

                                  Convert

When you select "Convert", all files in the list above, as well as all
files in the directories specified (but not in any sub-directories) will be
converted for use on the computer specified in the @{"Convert files to: list" link L416}.

Before you convert any files, you must either choose to replace the
existing files by selecting the @{"Replace Existing Files" link L414} checkbox, or you
must select a directory to put the new files in, by choosing @{"Dest. Dir:" link L415}.

Once conversion starts, a progress window will appear.  Note that the
percentage displayed is only a rough approximation of the progress, and is
often confused when converting directories.  To stop the conversion, click
on "Stop".  You cannot stop the conversion when reading a file, the mouse
pointer will indicate this.

Once conversion is complete, a small summary of the conversion process will
be displayed.

@endnode

@node L4110 "4.1.10 Iconify"

                                  Iconify

When you choose "Iconify", the FileConv window will close and will be
replaced by an icon on the Workbench screen.  To get the FileConv window
back, double-click on the icon.

When FileConv is iconified, you can drag files and folders from the
Workbench screen onto the FileConv icon.  FileConv will then add these to
the list of files and directories that you wish to convert.

@endnode

@node L4111 "4.1.11 Quit"

                                   Quit

Quit allows you to leave FileConv.  FileConv will ask for confirmation.  If
you still have files in the list to be converted, and you have not clicked
on @{"Convert" link L419}, you should note that these files will not be converted.

@endnode

@node L42 "4.2 The Menus"

                                 The Menus

The FileConv menu contains virtually the same items as the buttons on the
FileConv window.  The entries which are identical are:

    @{"Add Files..." link L411}
    @{"Add Dir..." link L412}
    @{"Dest. Dir..." link L415}
    @{"Help..." link L418}
    @{"Other Options..." link L417}
    @{"Convert" link L419}
    @{"Iconify" link L4110}
    @{"Quit" link L4111}

Two additional entries are:

    @{"Clear" link L421}
    @{"About..." link L422}

Follow one of the links above for more information.

@endnode

@node L421 "4.2.1 Clear"

                                   Clear

Clear will remove all entries from the list of files and directories.  This
is useful if you have just finished converting one batch of files and wish
the list to be empty so you can now add new files to be converted.

@endnode

@node L422 "4.2.2 About"

                                   About

This will display a window showing the version number of FileConv, as well
as copyright information.

@endnode

@node L43 "4.3 FileConv Options"

                             FileConv Options

The Options window is displayed when you click on (or choose the menu item)
@{"Other Options" link L417}.

It contains advanced options that you can use to convert unusual text
files.  For most files, the default settings (FileConv comes installed with
the defaults) should be fine, but there are certain circumstances in which
you may wish to format files differently.

The available options are:

    @{"Character Conversion" link L431}
    @{"Minimise File" link L432}
    @{"Process Binary" link L433}
    @{"Remove Binary" link L434}

    @{"Tab Options" link L435}

    @{"Tab Distances" link L436}

Follow a link above for more information.

In addition, there are three additional buttons in the window, "Save",
"Use" and "Cancel".  "Save" will use the options specified, as well as
saving them for use next time.  "Use" will use the options specified, but
will not save any changes.  "Cancel" ignores any changes made in the
Options window.

@endnode

@node L431 "4.3.1 Character Conversion"

                           Character Conversion

This checkbox indicates whether character conversion should be applied to
the text file being converted.  By default, this is on.

When taking files to/from other computers, different character sets are in
operation for extended characters such as 'é' and '¾'.  By enabling this
option, FileConv will attempt to convert characters to the correct
representation for the destination computer.

A note for PC users: This function will convert characters to the format
used by Microsoft Windows; it will not format these characters correctly
for DOS applications such as Edit.

@endnode

@node L432 "4.3.2 Minimise File"

                               Minimise File

This checkbox indicates whether file minimisation should be applied to the
text file being converted.  By default, this is on.

File Minimisation removes redundant spaces from the end of lines in text
files.  This does not affect the appearance of the file in any way, but
means the file may take up less space.

@endnode

@node L433 "4.3.3 Process Binary"

                              Process Binary

This checkbox indicates whether binary files should be converted by
FileConv.  By default, this is off.

FileConv checks each file to see which format the file is in.  If it finds
that the file is binary, then it will normally report an error and not
process the file.  Setting this checkbox allows binary files to be
converted.

This, when used with the @{"Remove Binary" link L434} option may come in useful to
remove the text from specialised word processing documents whenever
possible, for example Microsoft Word .doc files contain the text hidden
between chunks of binary.

@endnode

@node L434 "4.3.4 Remove Binary"

                               Remove Binary

This checkbox indicates whether binary characters should be removed from
the text file being converted.  By default, this is on.

Binary characters may appear in files accidentally, or they may perform
some special formatting.  These should be removed before porting your text
file to another computer to avoid confusion.

@endnode

@node L435 "4.3.5 Tab Options"

                                Tab Options

This section describes the various options that can be applied to files
containing tabs.  If your file contains tabs, then this section should be
read carefully.

Firstly, something needs to be said about different tab distances.  A tab
distance is the number of spaces that a tab character produces when
encountered in a word processing package.  For different packages,
different tab distances will apply.  Some packages like MS-DOS Edit
(default:8) and the Amiga's TransWrite (default:4) allow you to edit this
value (It may be called "Tab Spacing" or similar).  If the tab distances on
the two packages that you are using on two different computers are
different, then this poses a problem.  FileConv has the Tab Options area to
help you overcome this problem.

In the tab section, there are four available options.  They are:

1. Leave
This is the default option.  When this option is selected, any tabs found
in the text file you are converting will be left in place.  This option
should only be used if your file contains no tab characters, or the tab
lengths on both applications that you are using on the two different
computers are identical (or can be made identical, through editing the tab
value in the destination word processing package).


2. Convert Tabs to Spaces
This option should be used if you know the tab distance of the package that
produced the text file, but you are not sure of the tab distance of the
destination package, or you wish to use a variety of packages.

You should make sure that the @{"source tab distance" link L436} is correct in the box
below.


3. Convert Spaces to Tabs
First a warning - do not use this option with text files that contain tabs!
Unpredictable formatting may occur!
This should be used when you know the tab distance of the destination
package, the file contains no tab characters and you wish to compress the
file so that it takes up as little disk space as possible.  Any grouped
spaces will be converted to tabs.

You should make sure that the @{"destination tab distance" link L436} is correct in the
box below.  This option should really not be used that often if possible.


4. Tab Conversion
This is the most powerful option.  This option allows you to convert tabs
if you know both the tab distances of the package that produced the text
file and the package that the converted file is going to be used on.  Any
spaces that could be replaced by a tab are replaced, compressing the file
slightly.

You should make sure that both the source and destination @{"tab distances" link L436} are
correct in the boxes below.

@endnode

@node L436 "4.3.6 Tab Distances"

                               Tab Distances

This section of the options window provides information for the various tab
options above.  There are two boxes where you can enter the following
information:

1. Source Tab Distance
This indicates how many spaces a single tab character takes up when used in
the package that produced the text files originally.

2. Destination Tab Distance
This indicates how many spaces a single tab character takes up when used in
the package that the text files are going to be used on.

@endnode

@node L50 "5.0 Miscellaneous"

                               Miscellaneous

Stuff that doesn't quite fit anywhere else...


    @{"5.1 Registering FileConv" link L51}
    @{"5.2 If you find any bugs!" link L52}
    @{"5.3 Glossary" link L53}
    @{"5.4 Contacting the Author" link L54}
    @{"5.5 Future Developments" link L55}
    @{"5.6 Acknowledgements" link L56}

@endnode

@node L51 "5.1 Registering FileConv"

                           Registering FileConv

In order to register FileConv, you will need to @{"contact me" link L54} to get a
registration number.  When you get this number, all you have to do is run
the program "Register".  You may be asked to find FileConv.  All you have
to do then is enter your number when asked to register.

Registering FileConv simply removes the annoying "This is an
UNREGISTERED..." message that appears each time you start FileConv - The
unregistered version is NOT crippled in any way!

Cookie to the first person who contacts me with the Orb reference in
Register....:)

@endnode

@node L52 "5.2 If you find any bugs!"

                           If you find any bugs!

If you find any bugs in this program, or if you have anything to say about
FileConv (it can be critical - I can take it :) then @{"let me know" link L54} at once!

FileConv has not been extensively tested, so there are probably many bugs
lurking about - try and help me remove as many as possible!

@endnode

@node L53 "5.3 Glossary"

                                 Glossary

Amiga Text File
    - A text file for use on Amiga computers, roughly equivalent to PC text
files (but not exactly, hence the need for this program!)

ASCII
    - American Standard Code for Information Interchange.  A standard way
of transferring text files between computers, often known as 'text only'.

PC Text File
    - A text file for use on the PC variety of computers, roughly
equivalent to Amiga text files (but not exactly, hence the need for this
program!)

Text Editor
    - A program such as Ed, Ted, MEmacs or dme which allows the user to
edit text without the use of any formatting such as fonts, sizes etc.

Text File
    - A file made up only of ASCII characters.  This type of file is
automatically produced by any Text Editor, but a Word Processor can produce
this type of file by saving the file as 'ASCII Only' or 'Text Only'.

Wildcard Characters
    - Characters such as # and ? which are used to specify wildcard
patterns.  See your Commodore manual for more information.

@endnode

@node L54 "5.4 Contacting the Author"

                           Contacting the Author

Feel free to contact me if you have anything to say regarding FileConv
(Criticism always welcome), if you spot any bugs, or if you need any help
in installing or using FileConv.

If you want to know how FileConv can help you transfer files to your
PC/Mac, or you don't understand something in this guide, mail me now!

Also if you just want to say hi, give me some money, or electronically chat
me up, I can be reached by e-mail, my address is:

                              aon@bigfoot.com

Also look out for me on IRC, I'm untwigged.

@endnode

@node L55 "5.5 Future Developments"

                            Future Developments

FileConv has been developed (in my opinion) as much as it can be, so other
than for minor upgrades and bug fixes, this should be the last major
release of FileConv - unless you have any ideas how FileConv can be
realistically improved.

Other projects I plan for the Amiga in the foreseeable future are:

a) Definition and Implementation modules for the Amiga program 'Turbo
Modula-2', so you can use the examples in the book 'An Introduction to
Computer Science with Modula-2' (Adams, Gabrini, Kurtz) - very useful for
university - should be out soon!

b) Z80 assembler (I know its been done a million times before, but I need
it for...)

c) Amstrad CPC Basic Compiler - Perhaps!

d) In the very long term, a usable database program for the Amiga

On the non-Amiga front, I am going to take a year out of university to work
in California, so I may be off the Amiga scene from June 1997 (for the
meantime at least).  Also, I am beginning to wonder if being an Amiga
developer is such a good idea since there are no Amigas in shops (as of
Apr. 97 anyway).  If I could get a hold of a Commodore CEO...

@endnode

@node L56 "5.6 Acknowledgements"

                             Acknowledgements

This program was written using Blitz Basic 2 (v2.1) and would not have been
possible without the imagination of Mark Silby.

Also thanks to Stephen McNamara (of Red When Excited Ltd.), Neil O' Rourke
and Nico Franco for the very useful libraries they provided.

Thanks also to those on the Blitz-list (alt.sys.amiga.blitz) who gave me
help and support - this project would not have been possible without them!

Thanks to Timo Ronkko for ideas on how to improve FileConv v1, and to all
of those who registered FileConv v1.

Sorry to The Queen's University of Belfast (www.qub.ac.uk) for both having
to put up with me as a student and for the excessive use of university
resources to complete this project...

Chris Knight, who published my first program many moons ago - thanks!

Thank you to anyone who will bother to register this program, especially
those who will tell me what they think of it!


c ya!
    @{"Adrian" link L54}

@endnode