SerialSurfer is meant as a replacement of Mad Programmer's SurfersSerials™ Reader. It support the old databases (prior to 08/99) and also the new one which adds a link database
Minimum System Requirement
Any Macintosh (including 680x0s)
System 7.5 (should run on 7.1, but this has not been tested)
Requires Drag&Drop
1Mb of free RAM
Quick Tour of SerialSurfer 1.0b10
First, due to complains about the GUI, an option has been added since b9, holding the command key () when launching SerialSurfer toggles between two schemes which we will refer as the "boring", and the "scull" scheme. By default SerialReader opens in scull scheme. Once the view has been toggled, there is no need to hold the command key anymore at launch time.
• The Database Selection
The database popup lets you choose between the MacOS and the Newton Database. Note that in SerialSufer, you will not find the Newton database at the end of the list anymore.
• Coloring
You will notice that some item in the "Program" field are colored. The red and gray items are simply part of the header and not actual programs. This was done mostly for aesthetic reasons. More interesting are the light blue items:
Those items are either new or have been recently modified.
• The Version Selection
Selecting a version is done by using the popup in the "Numbers" menu. If no version are specified in the database, the popup will contain only "No Version Available"
• Searching the Internet
The six upper teeth of the scull can be used to search a selected program with one of the following search engines:
(from left to right)
1 - Download.com [http://www.download.com/]
2 - VersionTracker [http://versiontracker.com/]
3 - c|net search.com [http://search.cnet.com/]
4 - Dogpile [http://www.dogpile.com/]
5 - The Snitch [http://www.thesnitch.com]
6 - HotlineHQ [http://www.hotlinehq.com/]
Eventually, it will be possible to change these, but for now, the only way is to modify the preference file created by SerialSurfer (see below "Changing the Search Engines")
• Viewing other Information
The lower teeth allow the user to select between displaying the serial number database or the link database. This second database is available since 08/99 and contains a list of valuable links (will be discussed later). Note that only the two first teeth are currently functional.
• Expanding the Scull Window
The scull window is expandable:
When expanded, the "Program" and the "Number" fields are at their maximum size, and a "URL" and "Comments" field appear
• The URL field
The url field displays urls associated with the selected item in the "Program" field. Since it is a popup menu, in order to copy or launch the selected url, use the buttons at the right of the popup.
• The Comment field
The comment field uses WASTE to display information associated with the selected program.
• The Link View
To launch a link, double-click it, command-click it, or use the button at the left of the window. The categories display what kind of link is selected. Eventually, they will also allow filtering the links.
• The Boring Scheme
Opening SerialSurfer is the "Boring" scheme is a little faster and decreases the RAM requirement by 500Kb. In this version, the boring scheme is not finished and not all functions of SerialSurfer are available. To switch the scheme, hold down the commant () key when launching the reader. The selected scheme will be saved in the preference file, so this has to be done only once. Eventually, a menu will allow live toggle.
• Drag&Drop
SerialSurfer supports Drag&Drop.
Note: Using Drag&Drop on a program will not only copy the program name: it will also copy the selected version and all the serial numbers associated with it. Here is a sample:
Macromedia Director 7.0
First Installing s/n#
DRM700-86870-28283-35582
Next launch Director 7 app s/n#
WDM700-72474-28247-09591 (Non-Commercial?)
WDM700-04274-87094-79336 (full?)
• Exporting
Exporting (menubar>file>export) will copy the selected program, the selected version, and all the serial numbers, urls and comments associated with it into a text file
• Modifying the Search Engines
To modify the links to the search engines, follow these steps:
- Open your SerialSurfer Preferences file from your preferences folder with BBEdit
(if it does not exist, run the application at least once)
- there will be a few unreadable characters first, and the you will fins the list of search engines arranged in the following way: name•url•name•url• change the name of the engine you want to modify
- In the url, locate the unreadable character. This character represents the spot where the program name will be inserted. Change the url and make sure you have placed the unreadable character somewhere at the right place!
- Save and you're done
Special Considerations
Do not complain about the GUI for now. We are aware that it not enough intuitive. Suggestions and designs are always welcome though (see below for places to post) This is not a final version, so expect to encounter some bugs. If you do, please let us know.
History
Listing only public releases:
09/01/99
version 1.0b10
- Threaded parsing, faster than an any other reader
- Better memory management
- Started the implementation of the "boring" scheme
- Support for drag&drop
- Support for 68k Macintoshes (released a FAT version)
- Using WASTE for comments
- Minor modification on the yellow popups
08/01/99
version 1.0b5
- First release
SerialSurfer was started on 06/25/99
How to Contact Us
Please, post your comments/suggestions/bug reports on
news: alt.hackintosh
web: http://www.warezbbs.com/macsrule/ (warezBBS)
Big thanks to:
surfer
lws
and all those who criticized my previous releases!
