This tool is useful for cleaning up and converting files that you have imported from other sources such as IBM-PC based files, or Unix systems.
Text files obtained from IBM-PC based sources as viewed on a Macintosh usually have a row of "boxes" down the left edge of the screen, and a horizontal row of boxes at the bottom of the file. These are actually control characters which are present in the file, but are not used by the Macintosh. To convert and clean up this kind of file, just click "OK" at the Stripper dialog, which will remove all control characters not used by a Macintosh‚Ñ¢ text file, as well as any characters with values above (hex)7F.
If the file does not appear to have any carriage returns, and the file just goes on to the right forever, then the file is probably a Unix type file, and the additional "Convert Unix File" option should also be checked. Unix type text files use "LineFeed" ($0A) rather than "CarriageReturn" ($0D) as the Mac does to mark a new line. The "Convert Unix File" option will substitute a CarriageReturn for each LineFeed before stripping. If you check this box on an IBM-PC type file, then you will end up with everything double spaced, but no other harm done.
Although most Macintosh programs will not recognise them, there are some text editors like QUED which will respond to imbedded "Form Feeds" for page break control. If these exist in the program, and you want to save them, activate the "Save FormFeed" option.
