Read files from other operating systems

Helpline Q&A Directory

I've found that plain-text files created on Mac and Unix systems look strange on a Windows system. Is there a way to convert them faithfully?

Different platforms use different methods to mark the end of a line or paragraph in a plain-text file. If you're sharing text files with someone on another platform or setting up code on a Windows system that will run on your ISP's Unix machine, you'll get this headache. Luckily, it doesn't arise with HTML code.

In a Unix text file, the Line Feed character (ASCII 10) marks the end of a line. On a Mac, the Carriage Return character (ASCII 13) performs this same function. Windows follows the standard established by DOS, using both Carriage Return and Line Feed characters.

The $5 ConvertCRLF file-format conversion shareware is available for download from www.connor-miller.com/software.htm. Fookes Software's NoteTab Light text editor (www.notetab.com) converts the line ends of Mac and Unix text files on the fly. You can use its File, Export command to save a file in alternate formats.

As a text editor, NoteTab beats Windows' Notepad with a stick. Among its added features are drag-and-drop text editing, search and replace, and boilerplate text.