The Scripter's Scrapbook
'The personal reference library for all programmers'

Contents
Current version
Recent Updates
What's New
Updating multiple Scrapbooks
Installation

ssBk v5.2
Release date: 4 October 2006

Cross-Platform Support
The Scripter's Scrapbook is supported on all the following computer platforms...

  • Windows: 95, 98, ME, NT, 200x, XP
  • Mac & iMac: OS 9, OS X (PPC, Intel and Universal)
  • Cross-platform file format: Any Scrapbook file will transfer "as is" between any of these platforms

New Users: Please refer to the Installation options available to you.


Features, options and flexibility
The following are available for you to organize, store, link and manage your information...

Current version: 5.24
• If the version you download is earlier than this, use 'Check for Updates...' under your Scrapbook's Help menu to update automatically.
• Report bugs and feature requests under the HELP menu or use the online
Feedback Page.

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Recent Updates
The following updates have been released:

  • 5.24
    Released 25-OCT-2006
    - Feature: Home Page tasks now include 'Park' and 'Save a Backup'.
    - Bugfix: Fixed Scrapbook misdisplay after restore from Park.
    - Bugfix: The 'Metal' color scheme now persists between sessions (OSX only).
    - Bugfix: The 'Silver' color scheme now correctly updates the User Support color scheme.
    - Bugfix: Fixed window-judder when setting IAC preference.
  • 5.23
    Released 19-OCT-2006
    - Interface: A 'parked' Scrapbook now floats above all windows as a systemWindow so it is accessible in all applications.
    - Interface: Vanilla and Silver have been added to the color scheme options. Blueberry, Graphite and Metal (OSX only) options have all been revised.
    - Feature: The 'What's New' web page can be checked before updating.
    - Bugfix: OSX menu-flashing on startup has been rectified.
    - Bugfix: Issues with overflow toolbar icons have been resolved.
    - Bugfix: Spoken dialog messages has been re-instated.
    - Revolution users only: Your Scrapbook should now be immune to RevIDE tools palette.
  • Standalone Options
    Released 7-OCT-2006
    Application programs are available on the website for...
    • Windows
    • Mac OSX Intel
    • Mac OSX Universal
    • Mac OSX PPC
    • Mac OS 9 PPC
  • 5.22
    Released 6-OCT-2006
    - Feature: Added Mouse Shortcuts to the User Support:Shortcuts page.
    - Bugfix: New, delete, omit and rename are now correctly handled in the Tree View.
  • 5.21
    Released 4-OCT-2006
    - Bugfix: Updater fixed to correctly handle User's PlugIn and Tokens copying.
    - Interface bugfix: Temporary language placeholders in Prefs removed.

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New in 5.2

This is the first major upgrade since the release of version 5. Many features, interface improvements and functionality enhancements have been added, foremost among these a cross-platform API with Inter Application Communications support and the ability to create your own language colorization schemes. We hope you will enjoy and benefit from the result.

What's New in Brief...

  • A Start Page for key task access has been added
  • API: A fully-featured cross-platform API is implemented
  • IAC: Inter Application Communications is supported
  • Cutomizable Toolbar: Use the presets or customize your favorite shortcuts
  • Full-width Page View option is now available
  • A Tree Index option with combination display options has been added
  • Colorization: Add your own languages and exchange specifications using XML
  • Searching: Customizable Search Engine sites with user-embedded search parameters
  • Export: XML is now included as an export format
  • 'Metal' is now included as an OSX color scheme option
  • Direct access to both Language and Classification customizing

New Features

  • A 'Start Page' has been implemented with access to key tasks. Closing the Scrapbook or the Start Page will close all Scrapbook tasks and any plugin that starts with 'ssbk'.
  • An API-IAC has been implemented in so you can 'Script your own Scrapbook'. There are two ways to use it: By developing Rev plugins, and by using text files for inter-application communication (IAC). A Handbook covering the API and IAC is available in the TOOLS:PLUGINS menu. See the IAC options in the Scrapbook preferences that includes IAC sensitivity and disabling.
  • 'Display Mode': The ability to work in Page View (where content takes priority) or Index View (where index access takes priority). The optional 'Display' toolbar button toggles the display.
  • 'Customize Toolbar': The Toolbar can now be customized. Right-click in the toolbar for a contextual menu of preset options or select "Customize..." to make your own selection and simplify the layout if required. Also available in Tools menu and in the Preferences.
  • Custom language colorizing is now supported. This includes XML file exchange for sharing colorization definition tables.
  • A Tree View index is now available in addition to the alphabetical and history indexes.
  • An unobtrusive clock with 12hr or 24hr and seconds options is included.

Enhancements

  • Scrapbook backup files are now supported as text hyperlinks so you can keep an Entry that lists archived backups if you wish. This can be an alternative to maintaining multiple Scrapbooks.
  • 'Copy to Clipboard' now supports individual Entry sections so you can grab only what you need.
  • Tech note for plugin users: ssBk itself and all supplied components are automatically saved in legacy-compatible file format.
  • A preview menu has been added to the Categories options dialog so you can try it before you apply it.
  • XML has been added to the range of Export options.
  • The popup Search Engine selector has been revised. It now also supports an editable User menu for access to multiple custom websites.
  • The Index title now displays in full or with a dynamic ellipsis depending on width available.
  • A search icon is now displayed in the index title following a Scrapbook search.

Interface

  • Added 'Metal' to color scheme options on OSX.
  • Language Options are now displayed and managed in their own dialog window, consistent with Categories. The Tools menu has been updated to provide access, and the Context preferences screen has been revised accordingly.
  • The standard arrow cursor is implemented when a Scrapbook is run in non-IDE environments.
  • The Tools and Entries menus have been modified to accommodate the new features.
  • Ctrl/Cmd.H as a shortcut to toggle the History has been removed as it conflicts with OSX.
  • The User Support and 'parked' windows are now included in the color scheme options.
  • Automatic layout adjustment for optimum content display where the Summary adjusts to fit.
  • The 'index view' has been simplified. There are now just two menus to 'Select' and 'View' the Entries. The 'View' menu provides access to all three index options (Alphabetical, Tree and History) and is available as a contextual popup with a right/ctrl.Click on the index.
  • Live window resizing is now supported on Mac OS9 and OSX.

Bugfixes

  • File names over 31 characters are now supported on Mac OSX.
  • Intermittent cursor mis-display has been corrected when contextual menus are selected.
  • The Attachment Files icon now updates immediately to reflect Entry status.
  • Intermittent misbeviour of the Search field has been corrected.
  • Print Preview is now supported on systems with more than one hard drive.
  • Incompatibilities of using 'reserved words' as names for Entries has been resolved. Reserved words include Back, Fwd, Next, Prev, First and Last.
  • OSX display anomolies have been addressed, including the truncated Search field, menu style consistency and cursor issues.
  • Shortcuts and aliases in the ssBkPlugins folder now work as expected.
  • A failed search no longer throws an indexing error with protected Entries.
  • Mac and OSX only: The 'Mac Default Menubar' option now displays menus in the style expected. Also selecting disabled menus now longer throws an error. OSX menus that are disabled now display the correct menuitems.
  • Fixed cursor mis-display on Win32 for Index popup contextual menu.
  • Fixed menu-judder on OSX when updating tabstops.
  • Sheet dialogs are no longer called from modal windows as this causes problems on OSX.
  • The Topics menu in the Prefs now displays as expected on OSX.

ssBkChat v1.063

  • File format is now legacy-compatible.
  • Selected text is no longer 'lost' when messaging occurs in an active Chat window.
  • Chat sessions automatically terminate when the Start Page or Scrapbook is closed..

OnLine Browser v1.12

  • The index display and Author options have been fixed when selecting the 'Show My Own' option.

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Introduced in 5.1

  • Interface Update: Complete review and update of the interface to be more consistent with XP and OSX, including a moderated color scheme, new toolBar icons with mouseOver hiliting option, speech avatars, panel splitters, resize corner (win32), modern menus with mouseOver hiliting (win32) and white menu backgrounds (all platforms), native OS button styling wherever possible, OS-default dialog button positioning and updated dialog icons (OSX). Also implemented two color schemes in the Appearance preferences, "Blueberry" and "Graphite" for Windows XP and Mac OSX, although you can choose which you wish to use on either platform.
  • File Attachments: Improved File attachments compression.
  • Ruler shortcut: Added double-click on horizontal splitter to toggle the Ruler.
  • New Entry Context: Added 'Ask Context' option for New Entries.
  • Parking: Fixed incorrect application of windowBoundingRect for parked ssBk and ssBkChat under XP.
  • Navigation: Corrected navigation management and display when a new Scrapbook is created.
  • PlugIns Menu: PlugIns menu no longer displays OSX system files.
  • Printing: User Support printing issues resolved.
  • Splitter Cursors: Hotspot corrected for vertical and horizontal splitter. The cursor now lines up correctly.
  • History Menu: Cleared History items no longer leave a spurious blank line in the index.
  • ssBkChat incremented to 1.05:
    • Interface: Graphics now fully independent of ssBk hosting.
    • Interface: Modal/Sheet dialog style now in line with ssBk.
    • Bugfix(OSX): Clear current chat history corrected (inadvertantly introduced in 1.04).
  • ssBkChat incremented to 1.04:
    • Interface: Revised GUI in line with ssBk and improved 'Settings' display.
    • Bugfix: Field focus is now maintained in external stackFiles.
    • Bugfix: Improved smilies recognition.
  • ssBkChat incremented to 1.03:
    • Bugfix: Enabled History Log file launch on OSX.
  • ssBk Publisher and Browser incremented to 1.1:
    • Interface: Implemented GUI style in line with ssBk.
    • Bugfix: ssBkBrowser now correctly responds to Internet off-line.
  • Interim release 5.02
    • Interface: Scrapbook now opens as a standard window style when a unique instance of the MC IDE.
    • ssBkChat incremented to 1.02:
      • Feature: Works independently of ssBk for use as a rev plugIn.
    • ssBkChat incremented to 1.01:
      • Bugfix: Server error 'Chat' during versionCheck is trapped.
      • Bugfix: If the color palettes are open, the popup menu for 'Other' colors now works.

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New in the v5 Series

  • On-Line Scrapbook: Publish, browse and download Entries with over 180 listed languages.
  • On-Line Chat and Forum Discussion: Includes 'one click' Scrapbook Entry exchange and File transfer
  • Easier Updates: Settings, Entries and preferences automatically transferred with v5 or later
  • Easier Feedback: Direct access to comment, request, bug and query feedback
  • Web Publishing: Multiple Entry print previews, with automatic page breaks, presentation style, color scheme and hyperlinked index options
  • Internet Search: Direct access to On-Line Resources, Archives and Search engines to integrate your Scrapbook with the Internet
  • Quick-find: by default Search engine option
  • Search History: Your search history is stored using a 'menu with memory' with preference options
  • Speech: 8 independent 'Voice Assistants' for speech-compatible computers
  • Fast backup restore: Drag & drop your backup files
  • Links: Contextual popup menu of options for easier hyperlink management
  • Multi-lingual programmers: Define your own 12 language classifications
  • Script & code colorization for an additional 10 languages:
       AppleScript, Flash, JavaScript, PERL, REALBasic, SQL, Toolbook, VB, VB.net, VBScript
  • Firewall: Internet access options
  • Select by Attachment: To list all Entries with embedded files
  • Global text wrapping options, whilst retaining individual Entry settings
  • Tabs Ruler: Click to insert, drag to move, drag off to delete
  • Vertical Grid: Show a tab grid that adjusts dynamically
  • Line Numbering: Dynamic, independent, self-adjusting code line numbering
  • Text Wrap: Set individual and global line wrapping
  • Window Layout: Horizontal re-sizing for longer index titles

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New in the v4 Series

  • Create new Scrapbooks to keep different work sets
  • Drag & drop batch conversion to import your existing notes
  • Drag & drop file and folder icons to create links automatically
  • Search Internet sites direct, including discussion list archives
  • 'Quick Copy' any Entry to the Clipboard to paste as required
  • 'Links' preferences - Define your own hyperlink color choices
  • Multiple Scrapbooks - maintain several Scrapbooks if you wish
  • Insert images, graphics, artwork, bullets (GIF, JPG and PNG)
  • Chose from the built-in image bank, or select your own
  • Interactive 'Nudge' to position text and images
  • Create image links with automatic text conversion
  • Choose Style or Editing as your popup contextual menu
  • MSWord-style Format palette for centralized options
  • Floating color-picker palettes to quickly change text color and hiliting
  • Concordance plugin to cross-reference your Scrapbook
  • Hot links between Entries are preserved in web page publishing
  • On-line link for feedback, bug reports and comments
  • HTML web publishing
  • Script colorization for 6 languages:
       Director, MetaCard, Revolution, SuperCard, HyperCard, HTML
  • On-Line updates, direct to your computer
  • Visual presentation of context deployment options
  • Unlimited user-defined categories to specify usage
  • Platform classification, including Internet
  • File attachment options to store, preview and retrieve your files
  • Plugins option for extended flexibility
  • Popup Memos for annotations
  • Bookmarks for access
  • 'Locked' Entry protection
  • 'Source' popup selection
  • Advanced Find for specific matches
  • Hyperlinks to files, networks, eMail addresses, websites, Internet resources
  • Hot Links to other Entries
  • 4-way Navigation to go back, forward, next and previous
  • Extended setup preferences for developers and advanced users
  • 'Tell me..' index in the Help to answer questions
  • Revolution® plugin compatible
  • Standalone application program available for Win32, Mac Classic and Mac OSX
  • CSV export to other programs (such as Excel or FileMaker)

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Updating multiple Scrapbooks...

  1. Using your old Scrapbook(s), select FILE:EXPORT to backup your Entries.

  2. Close your old Scrapbook and open the new version.

  3. Drag and drop your backup file (or select FILE:IMPORT) to bring yourself up to date.

  4. If you have further Scrapbooks, use FILE:NEW and import your other backups.

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Installation...
Due to the variation of user requirements, there is no 'installer' for the Scripter's Scrapbook. You choose the starter-kit download, with or without an application program and/or additional platform-specific application programs as and when you need them. The following are guidelines to help you decide how best to store your Scrapbook system.

There are two installation options: As a standalone or as a Revolution plugin. If you want to use both systems on different computers, you can. Your Scrapbook will happily work in either environment and on any supported platform from Mac OS9 to Windows XP, so you do not need to keep separate data files. The only 'rule' is to make sure that the "ssbkPlugins" folder is located with any Scrapbook you use. Multiple Scrapbook data files should be kept them in the same location for your own convenience.

Note: Although you can access a Scrapbook over a network, simultaneous multi-user access is not supported.

There are three components:
    1. An application program called Scripter's Scrapbook (optional for Revolution users)
    2. A Scrapbook data file (initially called ssBk but you can rename it if you wish)
    3. A plugins folder called ssBkPlugIns (do not rename this; it is a required component)

1. Standalone Option
If you are using a Scripter's Scrapbook application program on Windows, MacOS or OSX, lauching the application program will automatically open a Scrapbook if it is called "ssbk" or "ssbk.rev" and if the Scrapbook file is in the same folder. Alternatively, you can rename and/or relocate the Scrapbook, then select it when prompted.

2. Revolution PlugIn Users...
If you use Revolution, you do not need an application program unless you sometimes wish to run your Scrapbook independently.

Rev 2.6
To ensure that your Scrapbook appears in the Rev plugins menu, put your Scrapbook and ssbkPlugIns in the Revolution:Plugins folder.

Rev 2.7
To ensure that your Scrapbook appears in the Rev plugins menu...
- On OSX
Put your Scrapbook and ssbkPlugIns in Users:Name:My Revolution Enterprise:Plugins or in Users:Name:My Revolution Studio:Plugins (according to the version of Rev you are using).
- On Windows
Put your Scrapbook and ssbkPlugIns in My Documents:My Revolution Enterprise:Plugins or in My Documents:My Revolution Studio:Plugins (according to the version of Rev you are using).

On-line Updates...
You can check if an update is available at any time under the HELP menu. You will find your new Scrapbook in a new folder with everything you need. This means that your old setup remains untouched and available. All your existing Entries, settings, custom language colorizing and personal plugin files will have been copied for you. When the update finishes, simply click 'Exit', archive your old setup and replace your old items with everything in the new folder (including the updated ssBkPlugins folder).

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THE SCRIPTER'S SCRAPBOOK, the personal reference library for all programmers
by www.FlexibleLearning.com