Welcome to Unicorn Editor, my styled text editor based on the WASTE text engine. It is a small, easy to use program which fill the gap between SimpleText and a full featured word processor. For oriental people, it fills a void for a stand alone styled text editor for double byte language with built-in font and input method support. Unicorn Editor v1.0 is a ShareWare ($10). If you like the program, please support shareware concept by paying the registration fee.
This WorldScript compatible style text editor for both 68K and PPC Macintosh is back engineered based on the features of the popular Tex-Edit Plus. Because both Tex-Edit Plus and Unicorn Editor use WASTE text engine, one should find that the two programs share a lot of similarities in the text editing features. While this program is not exactly the Tex-Edit Plus yet, especially in sound and picture handling, the text handling is further enhanced with various Chinese code set translation and input method support and custom bitmap font support. The program was writen in C and compiled with CodeWarrior 8.
In a word, the position of the Unicorn Editor, just as the popular Tex-Edit Plus, is somewhere between a full featured word processor and the SimpleText editor. It is a very good text editor for 2-byte language with built-in font and input method support.
1) Built-in Various Double-Byte Oriental Language Input Methods Support:
Unicorn Editor implements the double byte oriental language input method found in MacBlue Telnet, including traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean. Basically, one can use the same input method modules for these language code set which is available from internet for free. To see what is available, please check
<URL:ftp://cnd.org/pub/software/mac/input>
Other input methods can also be added from the CXterm counter-part by using MacBlue's hzBuilt application which is distributed with the MacBlue Telnet.
The input method support is meant for those who wants alternative input methods besides the Apple supported OS, such as CLK or Chinese Talk, etc. For those who have a Roman script system, the Unicorn Editor is a perfect input environment. For those who does not want the Chinese OS at all, Unicorn Editor can still input double byte languages and allow styled editing.
2) Common Oriental Language Code Set Support:
Support for inter-conversion between different Chinese code set, such as HZ, GB, Big5. In the File menu, there are two items: import and export which deal with the code set conversion. For example, if you choose to export HZ (from simplified Chinese), the current document (assume it is all simplified Chinese) will be translated into HZ. The char/line of the translated HZ coded Chinese is controlled by the preference dialog under special popup. With the inter-conversion of various code, a Macintosh with only one Chinese script system can also input and read different coded Chinese. For example, if your Mac has only GB system, this program will allow you to import to view or to export a Big5 file via code conversion after viewing and editing the original file in GB. The addition of other language coding support such as Japenese (EUC) is feasible if someone can give me a pointer.
3) Worldscipt support:
In a system with Worldscript II installed, 2-byte languages such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean can be handled perfectly. If you have a Chinese system active now, you can paste the date from the edit menu, the date is pasted in the current cursor position with the right script and font. You can also mix all different languages in a single document as long as the corresponding language script is available in the system resource.
4) QuickDraw GX aware:
In a system with QuickDraw GX installed, the program utilizes some GX functionality for printing, although this is not the full GX printing support, i.e., the support for custom page setup, print one copy is still missing from the menu bar. Anyway, for a simple text editor, I did not see the use of a custom page setup for each pages, the print one copy functionality is already implemented and used in the destop drag and drop printing even though missing from the file menu.
5) PowerPC support:
This is a FAT binary distribution, i.e., it provides native speed on both the old 68K Macintosh and the PPC Power Macintosh.
6) Beyond 32k document support:
Capable of opening document of size larger than 32k as long as your RAM allows. Unlike the SimpleText and the TeachText which can not handle >32k files, Unicorn Editor can support any size as long as your RAM allows.
7) Drag and Drop support:
If your Macintosh has Drag and Drop extension installed, you can use the drag and drop feature in your editing.
8) Internet Configuration Support:
If your system has the IC support, by command-click any URL, the Unicorn Editor will automatically launch the corresponding application and make the internet link. try to command-click following if you have internet connection:
<URL:ftp://cnd.org/pub/software/mac/>
Internet Config 1.1 can be obtained from most Mac archieve ftp sites. It must be configured first because this program can use the features. Currently the applications which support Internet Config include Anarchie 1.6, YA-NewsWatcher 2.0, Fetch 3.0, etc.
9) Built-in Bitmap Font Support for Simple Editing and Viewing:
if you do not have any Chinese system support, but still want to edit or view Chinese, Unicorn Editor also provide styled editing capability. To activate this feacture, one has to go to the special popup in the preference dialog and check the "use custom HanZi font" checkbox. Any new document created or opened after this action will be able to use HanZi bitmap font in the styled text. (The document created or opened earlier will have the wrong hook and remain Hanzi bitmap font incompatible. To correct this, close them and re-open. )
System Requirement:
Although the compilation is done with 68000 option, I would suggest user to go for 68020 Mac or above or Power Macintosh. Unicorn Editor only works with system 7.x. System 6 is not supported. For best printing effect, QuickDraw GX is desired as well as WorldScript II system extensioin and 2-byte language script (read Installation for more details).
WorldScript II is optional for proper handling of 2-byte oriental language. Although without it,with a Roman script system the Editor can still handle 2-byte oriental language. For users who want Chinese handling but do not have a Chinese system, the WorldScript II extension and system script can be obtained from Apple's Chinese Language Kit updater 1.1.1.
Basic Installations:
The Unicorn Editor application does not need special installation. It is a stand alone Editor for Roman script language.
To use custom bitmap HanZi font for oriental language display, one must have MacBlue compatible HanZi fonts. These fonts should be put in a folder called "HanZi Font" folder. This folder can be put in the same level of Unicron Editor application. If one also use MacBlue Telnet regularly, one should put the HanZi Font folder in the system folder so that both Unicorn Editor and MacBlue Telnet can share the same font. MacBlue Telnet distribution comes with a set of simplified and traditional Chinese font. Enclosed in Unicorn Editor distribution, there are another two bitmap font, Ming(big5) and Song(gb). For Japanese and Korean font, one can get them from <URL: ftp://cnd.org/pub/software/mac/input>. They go with the language input method.
To use the built-in HanZi input method, one must have input method modules put in a folder called "HanZi Input" folder. This folder can be put either in the same level as the application or in the system folder to be shared with MacBlue Telnet. For the language input method modules, one can get them through <URL: ftp://cnd.org/pub/software/mac/input>. If you are a multi-language user, it is possible to have different language input method modules used in the same application environment. Note, the punctuation module for different language are different, although the file name is the same. One can change some of the file name in order to make a mixed language input environment.
Caution: the HanZi font and input method will eat application memory. Although the application can skip and stop loading these modules when memory is tight, too many unused modules may pose further problems. It is adviced that one only keep the useful module and font for application to load if you can not give Unicorn Editor 4MB to run.
Advanced Installation:
To truly unleash the Chinese power out of the state of the art Macintosh, I urge all users to have WorldScript II installed. This is not a problem with CLK or any Chinese OS users. For those who does not have the Chinese script, WorldScript II extension, and Chinese true type font, please follow the following system enhancement steps. Since the Chinese input is taken care of by Unicorn Editor application instead of Mac OS, WorldScript II will not consume much RAM.
1) To add the traditional Chinese or simplified Chinese capability into your existing system, download CLK updater 1.1.1 from <URL:ftp://cnd.org/pub/software/mac/c-sys> . This is a DiskCopy 4.2 document and you would need the DiskCopy 4.2 application to copy this disk image file onto a floppy. Once this is done, you can find a folder (scroll the window if you can't) called "Support Files". You can find Traditional Chinese Script and Simplified Chinese Script in it as well as WorldScript II extension. Drag and drop these extensions and script unto the system folder icon and let system put them in the right place, or you can put the WorldScript II into the extension folder and copy the 2 scripts into the system suitcase file located in the system folder. If one has CLK and has both scripts installed, you can bypass above steps. For users who has only one script (either simplified or traditional Chinese) installed, you can choose to add other language script as you wish by following above step.
2) To get Chinese font support, you have to download the big5 font from <URL:ftp://cnd.org/pub/software/fonts/big5/mac/>, these provide additional typeface for your Chinese need. These fonts is in the Stuffit binhex format, you can use Stuffit Lite or Stuffit Expander to uncompress them. These fonts is best for printing, while screen display is only passable. For those users who already have big5 font, you can choose to pass this step.
3) Although the Chinese scripts are copied into the system suitcase, they would not be available for system to use if they are not copied into system resource (CLK installation automatically performs this). To activate the script(i.e., copy the script into the resource), launch the Unicorn Editor after first 2 steps are done. Note, make sure the Hanzi input and Hanzi font are properly in place before proceeding. One should see the input panel in the lower part of the screen. Note at this time the language script is not yet installed, Unicorn Editor will not function properly with the 2-byte language yet. Never mind any wiredness, do following a) set the font as one of the Chinese font, b) then use the mouse to click on the "English" floating window to choose one of the corresponding input methods (e.g. use the traditional input method if you set the tranditional (big5) Chinese font earlier), c) click on the right middle little icon under the input method name. You will find it popups a new panel showing all Chinese characters. d) Click on them, they should be input into the document window behind the input panel. e) redo steps a) to d) for each script that is desired for properly installation. e) Now you can quit the Unicorn Editor, and restart the Mac. After restarting, there should be a diamond shaped blue icon just besides the application icon. This is the keyboard menu. It is useless for Unicorn Editor, nevertheless, it indicates the intended script has been handled correctly after above actions. From then on, you already have a fully functional, WorldScript savvy environment. (Tech. Talks: In these steps, the input method will try to establish the link between the internal code with the font glyph. This will force the Mac OS to copy the corresponding script into the system resource for you because it needs to use it. These are only needed for system 7.1 and above. For system 7.0, script always stays in the system suitcase file. Another way to check if the script is installed for system 7.1 and above, you can open the system suitcase file in the system folder. If the script is already copied into system resource, it should disappear from the suitcase after above steps.)
Registration
Unicorn Editor is ShareWare (US $10). You can send me an equivalent amount of foreign currency or stamps as payment. My mailing address is:
Xiaolin Zhao
Department of Chemistry
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Please include your e-mail address if possible, so that I can inform you of your registration. After I received the payment, I will send you a registration number which you will need to register or enable the application after 30 days trial period. To register, choose the "register the Unicorn Editor ..." item under the Apple menu, fill your name, organization and registration number in the dialog. This will finish the registration. After the 30 days trial period, some functions of the application will disable itself and always ask you for the registration number to re-enable it at launching.
Registered owners are entitled to all updates. I can be reached at
<URL:mailto:xlz@chem.lsa.umich.edu>
About source code:
The original application shell is the WASTE demo source code in C in the WASTE 1.2a3 distribution. The text editing feature is pretty much in it. I further enhanced the code and back-engineered the code according the popular Tex-Edit Plus feature set. I did not start with the Tex-Edit Plus source code because I don't know Pascal that well to port it into C. Nevertheless, most of the Tex-Edit Plus feature is in place with Unicorn Editor. The oriental language code set support comes from several sources: HZ 2.0, HC 3.0, hztty, etc. I also did a major GUI rearrangement, adding the custom 2-byte language input methods, add QD/QDGX printing code, all the modeless dialogs, such as find/replace, preference, goto, other font size, and custom bitmap font support, etc. The only thing which is missing now is the sound ability in the Tex-Edit Plus, and also the PICT file handling. All these will be added gradually as time allows me.
Credit:
I would like to thank Yi Hsiao, Chenfang Chen (for suggestions and extensive beta testing), MacBlue (for development of the beautiful HanZi input method and font handling), and Marco Piovanelli (for development and support of the excellent WASTE text engine that allows large file handling).
Unicorn Editor 1.0, copyright ⌐1995-1996 by Xiaolin Zhao. All rights reserved.
WASTE text engine, copyright ⌐1993-1995 by Marco Piovanelli. MacBlue Telnet, copyright ⌐1995 by MacBlue.
