Welcome to NoteTab! An innovative text and HTML editor by Eric Fookes.
If you are reading this file from your new NoteTab program, open the file Readme.OTL to quickly discover some of its most original features. See the WhatsNew.TXT file for information on the most recent changes made to the program. Tip: put the cursor in the file name and hit the F7 function key to open it immediately.
Introduction
------------
NoteTab is a top-rated text editor (PC Magazine Shareware Awards finalist 1997) capable of editing any number of documents of virtually any size. It is a user-friendly but feature-rich program with innovative productivity tools.
NoteTab has a superb interface with a fully customizable toolbar and a tab bar to easily switch between documents. It includes the original "Editor Clipbook" which lets you insert any kind of text in your documents (HTML tags, frequently used sentences, glossaries, ...). NoteTab is web sensitive so it can open links in your text or view documents in your favorite browser. It also offers a flexible Outline document format that lets you organize your information in a structured way. Other features include search/replace text in all open documents, text filters (convert between ASCII, UNIX, Mac), strip HTML tags or convert documents to HTML syntax, sort/join/split/indent lines, change case, Favorites menu for files and directories, detailed text statistics, automatic scrolling, capture any text sent to the Clipboard, drag-and-drop text (Super NoteTab only) and files, shortcut menus, detailed help file, and much more...
Would you like to contribute to NoteTab's future? Why not contact the editors of your favorite computer magazine or newspaper, or web sites that review software, and tell them about it! UseNet is also a great place to tell others about NoteTab. The more it is mentioned, the more people will discover it, the more NoteTab will thrive and get better.
If you are using the Freeware version (or a pirated copy <g>) and would like to support the author, please consider purchasing one of the commercial versions. The cost is very low for this type of software: $5 for Super NoteTab and $9.95 for NoteTab Pro (maintenance updates are free). You will find more information about the commercial versions below and in the accompanying help file. Remember that more sales means more time available to the author for improving NoteTab.
Key Features
------------
-> Covers all essential features available in Notepad (including LOG).
-> Super NoteTab can edit files as large as memory permits (or a theoretical limit of 2Gb) and NoteTab Pro up to 16Mb.
-> Open and edit many documents at once (only limited by system resources).
-> Fully configurable toolbar with flat or standard style buttons (more than 80 commands available).
-> Fully configurable shortcut menu.
-> Web enabled (can open links and HTML documents in browser).
-> "Editor Clipbook" tool with libraries for HTML tags, acronyms, smilies, etc.
-> Can calculate (type a mathematical expression and NoteTab will calculate the result).
-> Supports outline-type documents that help you organize your notes and any other kind of information.
-> Supports document templates.
-> Functions to convert text files to web documents, strip HTML tags, sort lines, change case, etc.
-> Each document can have different settings such as font, tab widths, word wrap.
-> Can search/replace text in all open documents or disk files; accepts search tokens.
-> Automatic scrolling for hands-free reading of documents.
-> Options to set margins, page numbering, headers and footers for printing jobs.
-> Text statistics (counts number of characters, words, and frequency of each word).
-> Drag-and-drop files from File Manager or Explorer.
-> Quickly open files and directories from the Favorites list.
-> Can capture text copied to the Clipboard from any application.
-> Can read and write files in DOS ASCII, UNIX, and Mac formats.
-> Lets you choose whether to save program settings in the Windows system registry or the NoteTab INI file.
-> And lots more...
Installation
------------
If your NoteTab package has an installation program (Setup.exe, or something like
NTP400.exe or SNT400.exe), just run this program to install the editor. You can install this new version over your old copy if you wish. Note, however, that there have been many changes to program settings so these will not be restored from version prior to v4.0. If you like, you can install NoteTab Pro and Super NoteTab in the same directory (note however that the "Remove Program" feature is not recommended in this case).
The following information is only relevant if your NoteTab package does not include an installation program:
There is no special procedure to follow. Just unzip the files with a program like WinZip (http://www.winzip.com/) into the Windows directory or in a dedicated folder (directory).
The easiest way to set the NoteTab icon on your desktop is to use Explorer. Just select the file NOTETAB.EXE (or NOTEPRO.EXE) and drag it from Explorer to an unoccupied space on your desktop. You can also add a shortcut to it in your Start menu by choosing Settings / Taskbar...
Uninstalling
------------
If your NoteTab package came with an installation program (Setup.exe, or something like NTP400.exe or SNT400.exe), you can uninstall it by using the Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall NoteTab icon in the Start menu. It is not recommended to use this feature if you have installed Super Notetab and NoteTab Pro in the same directory; in this case, use the /UNINSTALL parameter as described below and just delete the main program file (NoteTab.exe for Super NoteTab and NotePro.exe for NoteTab Pro).
The following information is only relevant to users of the distribution package that did not include an installation program:
If you have associated file extensions, or set the option to use the registry instead of an INI file, or if you have used the command provided to replace MS Notepad, you can easily restore the registry and MS Notepad by executing NoteTab with the following command-line parameter (use the Run command in the Windows Start menu and click on the browse button to find the program; NoteTab should not be running when you use this command):
The first example above is for Super NoteTab and the second for NoteTab Pro. Note that the program may be stored in a different location from the example shown above.
If you have a dedicated folder for the editor, just delete that folder and all its files (except documents you may have saved there and want to keep!).
Otherwise, just delete all files with the name NOTETAB or NOTEPRO (NOTETAB.* or NOTEPRO.*), all files with the extensions ".FVR", ".OTL", ".TPL", and ".CLB", CLIPHELP.CLH, WHATSNEW.TXT, and this README.TXT file. All these files are located in the same directory as NoteTab.
If you have executed NoteTab from a CD-Rom, you will find the NOTETAB.INI and NOTETAB.FPR (or NOTEPRO.INI and NOTEPRO.FPR respectively) files in the Windows directory.
Dictionaries and Thesaurus
--------------------------
To keep the size of the commercial distribution package down, dictionaries for foreign languages and the thesaurus file are not included. However, you can download all these files for free from the following pages:
http://www.notetab.ch/dictionaries.htm (server in Switzerland)
or
http://www.notetab.com/dictionaries.htm (mirror server in the USA)
Technical Support
-----------------
Unfortunately, I cannot offer one-to-one technical support for NoteTab. If you have questions about using NoteTab or would like to learn some time-saving tricks from other users, then please consider joining the NoteTab Mailing list (even if it is just for a short while). I frequently answer questions and also use the list to announce updates and changes to NoteTab. You will find more information about this list on the following web page:
http://www.notetab.ch/maillist.htm (server in Switzerland)
or
http://www.notetab.com/maillist.htm (mirror server in the USA)
You will also find useful information, links and other NoteTab-related resources (Clipbook libraries, patches, dictionaries, answers to common questions, etc.) by visiting one of the NoteTab web sites listed below:
http://www.notetab.ch/ (server in Switzerland)
or
http://www.notetab.com/ (mirror server in the USA)
Legal
-----
The author of this program accepts no responsibility for damages resulting from its use and makes no warranty or representation, either express or implied, including but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This software is provided "AS IS", and you, its user, assume all risks when using it.
The program and accompanying files are copyright material. No part of this material may be distributed with other software packages without the express permission from the author.
Distribution License
--------------------
I encourage you to freely copy and distribute the Freeware and Trial versions of NoteTab to any and all who are interested in obtaining a copy, including distribution through the Internet, BBS's, Shareware distribution libraries, CD-ROMs, etc. Distribution of the commercial version is forbidden. The package is subject to the following restrictions:
a) The package - including all related program files and documentation files CANNOT be modified in any way and must be distributed as a complete package, without exception.
b) You may charge a distribution fee for the package, but you must not represent in any way that you are selling the software itself.
c) You shall not use, copy, rent, lease, sell, modify, decompile, disassemble, otherwise reverse engineer, or transfer the licensed program except as provided in this agreement. Any such unauthorized use shall result in immediate and automatic termination of this distribution license.
All rights not expressly granted here are reserved by Eric G.V. Fookes.
Files in the NoteTab Package:
-----------------------------
README.TXT
this file
README.OTL
Outline document with information on some of the most significant features
WHATSNEW.TXT
details of the latest changes and new features
FILE_ID.DIZ
standard ID file
NOTETAB.EXE or NOTEPRO.EXE
the NoteTab program file
NOTEPAD.EXE
"stub" program used to replace MS Notepad. Can be installed by NoteTab command and is used to invoke NoteTab whenever Notepad is executed.
NOTETAB.HLP
NoteTab's help file
NOTETAB.CNT
NoteTab's help contents
QUICKREF.TXT
Quick reference list of keyboard shortcuts
TIPS.LST
Tip-of-the-day data file
SAMPLE.TPL and HTML.TPL
sample document templates
CLIPHELP.CLH
file used by the "Clip Assistant" tool
*.CLB
8 Clipbook library files with HTML tags, common Internet acronyms, Internet smilie (or smiley) representations, mathematical functions, etc.
NoteTab Family of Editors
-------------------------
There are five variants of the NoteTab editor:
1. NoteTab Pro (Commercial)
...........................
-> Works under Windows 95 and Windows NT4
-> Edit files up to 16 Mb each
-> Very fast
-> Multi-level undo/redo
-> Supports fixed-pitch OEM fonts
-> Spell checker and thesaurus (not with trial version!)
-> Full support for NoteTab-Outline documents
-> Search/replace text in files on disk
-> URL and HTML tag highlighting
-> Options for word wrap at column; real, fixed, and smart tabs, etc.
-> Costs only $9.95 USD!!! (Maintenance updates are free)
Don't be fooled by the price, this is not "cheap" software!
-> Trial version available from...
http://www.notetab.ch/ (server in Switzerland)
or
http://www.notetab.com/ (mirror server in the USA)
2. Super NoteTab (Commercial version)
.....................................
-> Works under Windows 95 and Windows NT4
-> Can edit files up to 2 Gb
-> Spell checker and thesaurus
-> Full support for NoteTab-Outline documents
-> Search/replace text in files on disk
-> Supports variable and fixed-pitch fonts
-> Does not support OEM fonts
-> Costs only $5 USD!!! (Maintenance updates are free)
Don't be fooled by the price, this is not "cheap" software!
-> Order from...
http://www.notetab.ch/order.htm (server in Switzerland)
or
http://www.notetab.com/order.htm (mirror server in the USA)
3. Super NoteTab Light (Freeware version)
.........................................
Same as Super NoteTab but does not include the following features:
-> No spell checker or thesaurus
-> Cannot replace text in files on disk
-> Can read NoteTab-Outline documents but cannot create or modify them
-> Cost: Free!
-> Available from...
http://www.notetab.ch/ (server in Switzerland)
or
http://www.notetab.com/ (mirror server in the USA)
4. Mini NoteTab 32-bit v2.63e (Freeware)
........................................
-> Works under Windows 95 and Windows NT4
-> Uses a minimum amount of system resources
-> Very fast
-> Supports OEM fonts
-> Cannot edit files larger than about 41 kb
-> Probably won't be updated anymore
-> Cost: Free!
-> Available from...
ftp://ftp.unige.ch/pub/msdos/win/mnote32.zip
5. Mini NoteTab 16-bit v2.6 (Freeware)
......................................
-> Works under Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and NT
-> Uses a minimum amount of system resources
-> Very fast
-> Supports OEM fonts
-> Cannot edit files larger than 32 kb
-> Probably won't be updated anymore
-> Cost: Free!
-> Available from...
ftp://ftp.unige.ch/pub/msdos/win/mnote16.zip
Comments and Suggestions
------------------------
I receive many E-mails from NoteTab users all over the world, and really appreciate the comments and suggestions sent to me. Without them, I would probably have stopped working on the software long ago. Also, much of the feedback I get influences the evolution of NoteTab. However, because of the volume of messages involved, I am sorry to say that I cannot respond to many of them (if I did, I would no longer have the time to develop NoteTab). So please forgive me in advance if I don't reply to your inquiry; it does not indicate that I have ignored your feedback. Some E-mails do get lost (the Internet is not perfect) so if you feel you sent me an important message and did not get a response, please do not hesitate to send it again.
If you are submitting a bug report, please first check the list of known problems in the last part of this README.TXT file. Also check, if possible, whether the bug has been fixed in the latest update. Remember to indicate which program variant and version number you are using.
I can be reached by E-mail at (no large attachments please!):
fookes@sc2a.unige.ch
(or Eric.Fookes@terre.unige.ch)
or by snail mail at the following address:
Eric G.V. Fookes
Av. EugΦne-Pittard 22 Ter
CH - 1206 Geneva
Switzerland
Hope you enjoy using it!
-Eric Fookes
Known Issues
------------
-> File Open/Save dialog box does not open: The open and save commands use the standard Windows dialog boxes. On some rare computers, Windows does not always respond to NoteTab's request to display these dialog boxes. Several users say they started experiencing this problem after installing IExplorer. Although it never seems to happen in Microsoft's own applications, this problem has been seen in Netscape, Forte Agent, Wordperfect, and other programs. It may be caused by a bad Windows DLL, although low system resources does seem to have an effect. I will provide more information at the NoteTab web site once a solution is found.
-> The toolbar buttons may not display correctly if you have an old version of Windows 95. If this is the case on your system, you will have to install a newer version of the ComCtl32.DLL file. You can do this by downloading and installing the following update file from one of the NoteTab sites or from Microsoft's web site (about 332 Kb):
Some users have also reported display problems with recent versions of Windows. This had nothing to do with the ComCtl32.DLL file. It turned out that the problem was due to bugs in their display driver and was corrected when they installed a newer update of their driver.
-> If you attempt to drag-and-drop or use "Send To" with a large number of files (for example 20 or more), an error message with "Access to the specified device, path, or file is denied". This message seems to be triggered by Windows and may be due to the length of the file criteria exceeding a certain size.
-> The MS Intellimouse wheel does not seem to work with NoteTab under Windows NT. Apparently NT doesn't even recognize the mouse driver (it says "(Unknown)" in the Control Panel, though some of the features work fine). It seems only applications using the standard inner Windows controls work correctly with the wheel.
-> If you are getting the 'No Default Printer Selected' error, and you have installed AS/400 Client Access software, you need to get the latest version of the AS/400 Client Access software. Microsoft's applications have some other way of using printers and bypassing the normal procedure, which explains why they don't exhibit this problem.
-> If you use a default extension with more than three characters, the Windows File Open/Save dialog box ignores the extra characters. This is an oversight in Windows, not NoteTab. Enter the full extension to avoid this problem.
-> Systems configured to display only 256 colors will not allow certain color combinations for the editor text and list boxes. Incompatible colors are noticeable because Windows will use a different color for the text background; where there is no text, the correct color is used. This is not a bug in NoteTab. You must try other color combinations to correct the problem.
-> The Rich-edit control used in Super NoteTab cannot undo individual paste operations if these are done one after the other. The control incorrectly assumes this represents a single operation and will undo all the consecutive pastes in one go. To solve this problem, you must enter some text between the paste operations.
-> Super NoteTab cannot display fonts with OEM character sets (Terminal, MS Line Draw,...). This limitation is due to the Rich-edit control provided with Windows. NoteTab Pro, however, uses another type of input control that can correctly display such fonts.
