Documentation for the AscToHTM conversion utility |
This documentation can be downloaded as part of the documentation set in .zip format (370k)
You need a reason? :-)
Oh well... here are some reasons to visit the registration page :-
- You'll get a warm glow from supporting the author financially.
Not enough eh? Okay...
- Although he doesn't make a living from this software, the author appreciates the support that the program gets.
- You'll get support from the author, especially in your early days as a new user.
- You'll be notified of any upgrades. To date all upgrades have been free to registered users. This means people who paid last year's price are getting this years software at a discount (plus they've had a year's use).
You can read details of the 11 or more upgrades made over 3-4 years in the Change History. Every single one of these has been free to those who have registered to date.
- You'll be able to ask the author for new features. You won't always get them, but you'd be amazed at how much of the functionality arose directly from registered users party requests.
Finally...
- No nag lines at top and bottom of each page, and no nag screen when you start the program up.
- All limitations on the program (file size etc) are removed
Originally I wanted to produce a fully-featured, but time-limited shareware version. However, for various reasons we've had to move to move to producing a largely-featured version with a 30 day time limit.
Sorry 'bout that.
At present the shareware version of the program will expire after 30 days plus 5 days usage. Each time the program runs it will tell you how may days use you have. During this period the program inserts a one line reminder to register at the top and bottom of each HTML page generated. This line is omitted in the registered version.
This line is easily deleted from the output source file, but we expect this to become quite tedious if the program is used repeatedly, particularly when large documents are split into a number of small files, or a large number of files are being converted. Some people have actually put such pages on the web.
There are other limitations of the shareware version :-
- If you don't register, it will cease to function properly after 30 days. Specifically after 30 days any conversions will convert all your text to random case. This will still allow you to evaluate the software, but the resulting HTML will be of little use to you.
This mixed case will go away if you register the software.
- In the shareware version you're limited to only the first 500 lines of any source file. After 500 lines a warning is placed in the output, and all subsequent lines are converted to upper case. This allows you to gain an impression of what the HTML will look like for evaluation purposes.
- In the shareware version, wildcard conversions are limited to only 5 files
- Certain other policies are not supported in the shareware version.
I don't like limiting the software, but there you go.
Only if you fall into either of the following two categories:
- You're an FAQ maintainer. FAQ maintainers add a lot of value to the Internet. As a little "thank you" I'm making this software free to anyone who maintains an FAQ. See the registration page for more details.
- VMS users. The software is largely developed and tested under VMS. Although the VMS version doesn't have the windowed interface, but does share the underlying conversion software.
<SOAPBOX>
We VMS users pay too much for software (that's when we can get it), so the VMS version of this software is made available for free. </SOAPBOX>If you really want a free copy, buy an OpenVMS system :) If you find any for less than $40, let me know :)
First we recommend you try out the product to convince yourself that it meets your needs.
You've done that right?
Okay, visit the registration page and follow the instructions there. You can buy AscToHTM online through a couple of third party registration services. These services can accept payment through a number of methods including credit cards, wire transfer or snail mail. Once the registration service has received payment details of how to get your registered version. Often the whole process can be completed in minutes.
If you experience any problems registering email sales@jafsoft.com with details.
The AscToHTM Home page is hosted on the JafSoft Limited web site.
If you have problems locating the home page and suspect it has moved, go to AltaVista and enter
+"John A Fotheringham" +AscToHTM
to locate any new home page.
E-mail any feedback to info@jafsoft.com. Most people will get a reply within 24 hours, although we cannot guarantee this given holidays and the like.
Support is available to registered users by emailing info@jafsoft.com. Any enquiries should be directed to the same address.
Sadly, we cannot guarantee any replies, though we do try to be helpful. Priority is given to people who have registered copies.
Recently a AscToHTM FAQ has been created. Although not complete, it may help to answer some of the commoner questions people have.
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AscToHTM © 1997-2001 John A Fotheringham |