ANT_HTML Version 3.0
Word To HTML and HTML to WYSIWYG Conversion
for use in
* WORD FOR WINDOWS
* WORD FOR MACINTOSH
* NT
* WIN 95
* in International Versions of Word 6.0 or above
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A new toolbar and many new features are included in version 3.0.
A description of the new Ant and it's features, as well as HTML Resources
and information about email and creating transparent graphic backgrounds,
is available on the Ant's Web site:
http://telacommunications.com/ant
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ABOUT THIS TEMPLATE...
The ANT_DEMO program is for DEMONSTRATION purposes only.
For a quick introduction to the Ant, just click the AUTO START Tool.
It's the 2nd tool from the left (a blue hand) on the ANT_SUP Toolbar.
(The ANT_SUP Toolbar is the one directly above the document on the left.
The first tool on the ANT_SUP Toolbar is the INSERT ANY DOCUMENT Tool,
a fat, red arrow pointing down toward the document.)
The tool is designed to do most of work of creating an HTML document for you.
When selected, the tool presents a short series of dialog boxes which take you,
step by step, through the creation of a basic HTML document by inserting the
necessary beginning and ending codes, as well as the Title, Heading, Body, and
optional "Return to top" anchor tags.
You're then invited to choose to type some text or to insert a previously
created file and if you choose that option, the selected .DOC or other file
will be automatically inserted between the beginning and ending codes. You
can, if you like, then, just click the Convert and Save Tool to produce a
completed HTML document. (The Convert and Save Tool inserts the appropriate
HTML tags around all entries - unless the tags have been previously been
inserted or unless the entry contains special Word formatting which HTML
browsers cannot display.)
The Background and Colors Options are presented as part of the
sequence described above. The Background and Colors Tool can
be used separately, too. When clicked, the tool displays 5 "dropdown
boxes", each containing 100 color choices.
Unlike some other demonstration programs, the ANT_DEMO program is a
working version of the complete program with a few exceptions. It's not timed
to self-destruct or shut down after a predetermined number of days.
Instead, the Ant demo permits you access to all the tools but frequently
inserts harmless notes into the document along with the HTML tags.
(Naturally, the complete programs do NOT insert any notes.) Since the
ANT_DEMO.DOT template is for demonstration purposes only, it is hoped
that you will enjoy evaluating the features and maintain a sense of humor
while viewing some of the inserted notes. (One particular quote you may
see in the HTML to WYSIWYG demo, though, is to be taken seriously.
The Eskimo proverb, "Do not make Loon Soup", shall, I believe,
forever remain sound advice. :-))
Where necessary, you can substitute the words, "ANT_DEMO" for the words,
"ANT_HTML" when reading the tips in the Ant Instruction Guide.
The only documentation difference in the full version is that the Ant
Instruction Guide is provided in .DOC format (with Word's own hypertext
links), as well as the HTML version.
The Ant_Demo program only differs from the complete versions of the
programs in a few ways.
ANT_HTML contains...
- the HTML to WYSIWYG utility
- the Special Characters Tool
- the Form Tool
- the Zap Codes in Selection and the Zap Codes in Entire Document Tools
These tools use simple substitution - search for this, replace with that -
methods. All of the tools which use more complex methods of performing
a procedure are included in full, working form.
Demo versions of the HTML to WYSIWYG utility and the Form tool are
provided in the demo. To see the conversion from HTML to .DOC, click
the HTML to WYSIWYG tool (on the far right of the Ant Toolbar).
The demo will open the ANTDEMO.HTM file, copy and paste it into your
current document and WYSIWYG it. The main portion of the program is
directed at creating and converting from .DOC to HTML. The HTML to WYSIWYG
conversions, while handy, is not as complex an operation. The
tool basically grabs whatever is between the HTML tags and assigns the
appropriate styles to what's there. It's true that some
individuals register for the program strictly to use this feature
but I have found it to be unwise to release a public version that
doesn't provide a few incentives to register.
The special characters tool merely converts all the standard ISO Latin 1
Entities. The list of the characters is available at:
http://telacommunications.com/nutshell/isolatin.htm
and the zap codes macros merely delete the angle brackets "<", ">")
and whatever is between them in the selection.
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All the tools and features are described in more detail than you
perhaps would care to know in the...
THE ANT INSTRUCTION GUIDE
The guide is provided in both HTML and .DOC file format.
You may wish to create a directory for the guide and it's gifs.
(There are many gif files depicting toolbar tools so, for faster loading,
you can turn "Display Inline Images" off in your HTML browser if you wish.)
- The .DOC version of the Instruction Guide (with hyperlinks, graphics and other
Word formatting features) is in the file called "ANT.DOC"
- The HTML version is contained in the files called:
"ANT.HTM", "ANT2.HTM", "ANT3.HTM" and "HTMLFORM.HTM".
- The copyright notice can be found near the end of both the .DOC and HTML
versions of the Ant Instruction Guide.
Although the Instruction Guide contains many HTML tips and formatting suggestions,
it is not intended as an instruction guide for HTML. If you are already familiar
with HTML coding, the features will (I hope) seem "intuitive" and enable you to
click on a tool and achieve the expected result. Basically, once the Ant template
is installed...
... or it you wish to create an HTML file from an existing Word .DOC file.
insert it into a new .DOC file based on the Ant template,
use the Ant Tools to code your document and click on the Convert and
Save Tool.
... or it you wish to create a .DOC file from an existing HTML file. just
insert the HTML file (it will be ASCII text) into a new .DOC
file based on the Ant template, then click on the HTML To WYSIWYG Tool.
(You can then, if you wish, remove the HTML codes, convert to any other
format available in Word and / or print a hard copy. [See top of this
page for more.] )
That's about all there is to it. (Caveat in the paragraph below:)
It is suggested that you take the time to read the Tips and Notes section of
the ANT.HTM Instruction Guide. It contains a number of helpful hints about
working with HTML and the template in the Word environment.
Another Note:
- The templates are not represented to be perfect. They are designed to make
working with hypertext faster and easier.
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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
To install the ANT:
1. Copy all the files into the same directory or folder.
(You may name it whatever you like and it can be anywhere;
just so it’s NOT within any of your Word directories or folders.)
2. Open Word
3. Open the ANT_INST.DOC file and double-click the red button. The End.
Note: You will be asked during the installation whether you would like to
have a tool which attaches the Ant template to any document, automatically
installed in the Standard toolbar in your Normal.Dot template.
If you choose "YES", a tool with an "A" will be added to the Standard toolbar
and will be readily available if and when you want to open and use the Ant
template. (You can easily move the tool or delete it later, if you wish.)
Just so you know, after double-clicking the red button, the Ant will
automatically perform these tasks...
ANT_HTML.DOT will be copied to your Word Templates Directory/Folder.
A file ANT_HTML.INI, recording the local information for your copy of
the Ant, will be created in your Windows directory/Preferences folder.
IMPORTANT INSTALLATION NOTE:
You may see a "Warning" message or series of messages when you open
the installation file (The ANT_INST.DOC file). (They don't appear again
after the Ant template is installed.) On some systems horrid,
scary messages appear when a file has code in it that's designed to merely
read and gather information about where the user's TEMPLATES directory is located
or just read other system information. The Ant does NOTHING WHATEVER to
change any system files nor does it DO ANYTHING which would affect anything
but it's own files. The option presented - to automatically add the
"Attach Ant Template" button to your Standard toolbar is, just that -
optional. If you choose "Yes" when you're asked if you want the Ant
to add the tool, the Ant does this and only this...
The macro that runs the "Attach Ant Template" macro button is copied
to your NORMAL.DOT file and a toolbar button with an "A" on it is copied
to your Standard Toolbar. Both the toolbar button and the Attach Ant Template
macro can easily be deleted at any time using the standard methods described
in the Word manual and in the "UnInstallation Steps" below.
Since the Warning messages appear when the code for merely reading user
file locations is present in a .DOC like ANT_INST.DOC and is apparently
unavoidable on some systems, I thought I'd warn you about the warning.
Unlike some other programs, the ANT does NOT alter ANY of the user's system
files and the copying of the toolbar tool is, as previously mentioned,
entirely optional and harmless.
If you don't want to use the ANT_INST.DOC file and would prefer to manually
install the program, there are two alternative installation methods offered
in the ALT_INST.TXT file. Even though I certainly agree that the scary
messages are scary, installing the Ant by clicking the red button in the
ANT_INST.DOC file is easy and harmless. The alternatives are provided for
you, because you probably don't know me from Eve and you should have two
other options in case you want them.
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DISPLAYING AND HIDING TOOLBARS
Initially, when the Ant opens all the toolbars will be displayed. You
can "hide" any of them until you want to use it, by any of the usual
Word methods. One is to click any toolbar with your right mouse button
and "uncheck" any of the toolbars you don't want displayed. To quickly
display any of the Ant's toolbars, you can use the same method and
"check" the checkbox next to the toolbar's name or you can select
View Toolbar from the Ant Tools Menu (at the bottom of the Menu).
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To "Uninstall" the Ant
If you should ever wish to "uninstall" the Ant's files, here are the steps:
1. Delete the ANT_HTML.DOT file from your Word Template directory or folder.
2. Delete the ANT_HTML.INI file from your Windows directory/Preferences folder.
3. If you created a directory to hold the .gifs and other Ant files, delete it
4. If there is an "Attach Ant Template" tool on your standard toolbar:
a.) In Word for Windows: Hold down the ALT key and drag the tool off the toolbar.
In Word for Macintosh, from the Tools Menu, choose Customize and then select
the Toolbars tab, then drag the tool from the Toolbar.
b.) In the Tools Menu, choose Macro, then click on the "Attach Ant Template"
entry and press the DELETE button.
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Note to users of non-English language versions of Word 6.0:
The first time you make use of the Ant template, you will likely see
a message asking "Save Changes to .DOT file?" (The .DOT file
is the template itself.)
Answer "YES" to this question so that the macros (the programming code)
will be translated and saved in the appropriate language. If you answer "NO"
to the question, the translation will be required each time you open any
document based on the Ant template.
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Troubleshooting:
If you have trouble installing, run the ToolsAvancedSettings command from the
Tools/Macros/commands menu to make sure you have an entry for "USER-DOT-PATH"
in your WINWORD6.INI (Windows) or WORD SETTINGS (6) file (Mac).
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REGISTRATION INFORMATION
The program is a nominally priced shareware program.
For individual registration:
$39.00 per person.
Multi-user, group and site licenses are available.
Please send a brief message to jswift@telacommunications.com
for details.
To register and obtain the complete version of the program:
1. Send your name, address, email address.
2. Send the registration fee (per copy)
- Within the U.S.: via check, traveler's check, or money order
- Outside the U.S.: via traveler's check, U.S. dollar draft, cash,
or international money order.
(Sorry, no plastic options are currently available.)
3. A personalized copy of the program will be delivered to you via your choice of:
a.) A zip email file attachment
Please specify your preference of one of the following:
BinHex, MIME or UUEncoding
Information about encoding can be found at:
http://telacommunications.com/nutshell/email.htm
or
b.) Delivery via WWW browser.
The .zip file will be installed on a server here.
The URL will be emailed to you. You can then copy and paste
the URL into your Web browser to download your copy of the Ant program.
Delivery method 3b (described above) is usually the quickest and most reliable.
Registration Notes:
- If the program is sent to an address within the State of Texas,
please add $3.00 per copy.
- If the WWW browser delivery method is unsatisfactory and your email service
does not permit zip file attachments, please send a disk and stamped,
self-addressed disk mailer to the P.O. Box below. A copy of the program
will be snail-mailed to you.
(If you are using a Macintosh, please mention it so that the files can
be sent uncompressed rather than zipped. The disk itself will be
formatted on a PC.)
- If you don't want the program delivered via email and you don't
want to bother about sending a disk and stamped, self-addressed disk mailer,
send an additional $10.00 (deliveries within the U.S.) - or $15.00 (deliveries
outside the U.S.) and it shall be done for ye.
-If you don't have an email address, please provide ANY email address or
some reasonable, non-costly way to contact you just in case your registration
arrives half-eaten.
- ftp delivery is also available. Please send (typed for readability),
the address of the ftp server, the directory path, and the login and password.
PAPERWORK POLICY
Email receipts and email invoices are sent on request.
There's no need to send any paperwork other than the registration information
and registration fee described above. If you or your organization has
any need to have any paperwork signed and returned to you via snail mail,
you may either provide a self-addressed and stamped envelope with the
papers you send or you may add $5. to cover processing time and return
postage.
This policy helps keep the costs of the software down. If you prefer,
you can think of it this way... The Ant is offered at a $5. discount
(individual registrations $44. - $5. = $39., etc.) to all those who
do not require processing and return of any snail mail paperwork.
It actually does save an enormous amount of time when I don't have
to read, sign, and return papers so I hope you'll understand. Thanks.
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Note to reviewers or to anyone who is contemplating writing and asking for
a free copy of the program.
There are several reasons why the complete version of the Ant software is
not distributed free of charge. Please understand that there's just not
sufficient time to verify information sent to me. There are additional
reasons, too, though. I realize that this policy will (and has)
annoyed a few people. It seems especially to annoy large footwear corporation
marketing supervisors, for some reason. At any rate, the Ant has
been favorably compared to other higher priced conversion utilities and any
review anyone encounters is assured to have been objective and unbiased one.
Each of the reviewers or evaluators who use the program and each of the sites
that display the Ant graphic have registered and paid for the complete version
of the program. Regardless of how unconventional the policy, it does seem to
me to be entirely reasonable and fair.
Regardless of your goal, the demo is specifically designed to provide all the
tools and features necessary to evaluate the program. If you have any questions
about the program which are not answered in the documentation, please write and
let me know. Thanks.
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Thanks to all of you who have sent friendly words, suggestions and questions.
Your messages are much appreciated.
Jill Swift
Ant author
P. O. Box 213
Montgomery, Texas 77356
jswift@telacommunications.com