=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= HTASC -- An .HTM to .ASC Document Converter =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= HTASC copyright 1995, Charles Dittell and Suncoast Software Systems Version 1.5 INTRODUCTION: HTASC converts WorldWideWeb ("HTML") documents (available through WWW on the Internet), and converts them to "raw" ASCII files. (HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language). A HTML document's extension is usually ".htm". The ASCII file will have an ".asc" extension. SHAREWARE/WARRANTY: HTASC is marketed as shareware, which is a commercial form of distributing software. You are free to use HTASC for up to four weeks. After that, you must either register HTASC or delete it from your computer. The shareware concept helps keep prices very low, and supports many individual programmers. Registration eliminates the stupid sounds and three second delay in HTASC. In addition, registered users can call HTASC with no document name, and HTASC will present a list of HTML documents from which you may choose a document to convert. Re warranty, there is NO warranty for HTASC, expressed or implied; you use HTASC entirely at your own risk (we gotta say that). HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: A PC, very little memory, very little drive space. INCLUDED FILES: HTASC.EXE The executable program HTASC.DOC You're reading it REGISTER.FRM Registration form: read it, include check, send it in, earn eternal thanks. NOTE: undergraduate college students may register FOR FREE, but must include their college name and student ID# on the registration form. H.BAT Sample batch file for optional use with HTASC FILE_ID.DIZ Short description of HTASC HOW TO USE IT: Place the file you wish to convert in the same directory as HTASC, or put HTASC.EXE into a pathed directory and call HTASC from the directory where your .htm files exist). Use the following command line convention: HTASC filename[.ext] In other words, type "htasc" and then the filename (with .htm extension optional. If the HTML file is called thispage.htm, to convert it to an ascii file, type "htasc thispage". HTASC will read the file, and output "filename.asc" (the file's name plus an ".asc" extension"). The output file will have deleted all HTML codes, and, where possible, add a after 80 or less characters on each line. "
" commands ("hard rule") will produce a line emulating a horizontal line. Some other HTML extrapolations are attempted, such as quotes, "ascii underline" (e.g., it's _important_), and the reduction of multiple blank lines. You may omit the filename extension if it is ".htm". HTASC works fine in a batch file; errors will not "freeze" the HTASC program. This last feature should be helpful to BBS SysOps who may want to automatically convert HTML documents to ASCII files for viewing on their BBSs. Enclosed is a sample batch file which can be used from the command line or another batch file. The command structure is simply H filename (caps not necessary). REGISTRATION BENEFITS: The registered version of HTASC enables you to just type "HTASC", and a menu of all .htm files will appear (up to 60); you can type in the .htm number to edit that file. SUPPORT: Call Suncoast City BBS, 813-953-5505, 1200-28,800 baud, for assistance, before and after registration. Leave message to "Sysop". NOTES: 1 - HTASC has been tested on files up to 60K size (excluding links); super-large files MAY cause an error message. 2 - An easy way to "ANSI-colorize" ASCII files is to use ANSIFILE; the newest version is always available on Suncoast City BBS. ANSIFILE's command syntax is: ansifile filename [ansifilename] foregroundcolor [backgroundcolor] HISTORY: 06/15/95 Ver 1.5 Added menu feature to registered version; sharpened screen 03/19/95 Ver 1.4 Minor upgrade to sharpen code and screens 02/20/95 Ver 1.3 Worked all day to add a few HTML extrapolations; added .htm extension name option 02/19/95 Ver 1.1 Squashed couple of little bugs; changed color scheme 02/18/95 Version 1.0 HTASC released