Conference 7.286::maconline

3959.0. "ClientMapMaker - client-side maps (MAC$GRAPHICUTILS)" by SMURF::BINDER (Errabit quicquid errare potest.) Fri Mar 07 1997 13:13

    			CLIENT_MAP_MAKER_V1_0B1.STUFFIT
    
    Welcome to ClientMapMaker(TM) by Northern Spy Software!
    
    Introduction
    
    ClientMapMaker is a simple AppleScript program that makes client-side
    image map code from server-side clickable image maps.  With a
    client-side map, you can embed all that classy click-here-go-there
    stuff right in your own HTML document instead of having to write a CGI
    program (no fun, that!) and beg your ISP to let you put it up on their
    server (even less fun!).  Client-side maps are supported by Netscape
    Navigator(TM) Versions 2.0 and higher, by Microsoft Internet
    Explorer(TM) Versions 3.0 and higher, and by any other browser that
    supports the complete HTML 3.2 specification.
    
    ClientMapMaker isn't the first program out there for doing this job --
    it was inspired by a beta version of Andreas Heissenberger's Web to
    Client Map Converter -- but we think it's reasonably cool anyway.  If
    we're lucky, you'll think so, too.
    
    System Requirements
    
    To use ClientMapMaker, you must have a Macintosh(R) or MacOS(TM)
    compatible computer with MacOS Version 7.5 or later, with AppleScript
    installed.  ClientMapMaker uses the scriptable Finder and Apple's suite
    of file commands.
    
    Usage Instructions
    
    To make server-side maps, you'll want a copy of WebMap, an application
    that allows you to draw areas directly on the graphic you'll be using. 
    (You can code maps by hand, but it's a pain, and if you're going to do
    it you might as well code them directly as client-side maps anyway.) 
    You can download WebMap Version 1.0.1 from any of the info-mac sites on
    the Internet.  To save the map information after you've drawn all the
    areas and assigned all the URLs, use the File menu's Save as Text...
    choice.  WebMap can make maps in either CERN or  NCSA format;
    ClientMapMaker doesn't care which of these formats you choose.
    
    ClientMapMaker is a "droplet."  To make client-side maps once you've
    made your server-side map files, you can launch ClientMapMaker and open
    files one at a time, or you can just drop one or more map files on
    ClientMapMaker.  If you accidentally drop something besides a text file
    on ClientMapMaker, the program will just tell you that you've made an
    oopsie.  For each input file, ClientMapMaker creates a text file
    containing the HTML map code ready to drop into your Web page.
    
    ClientMapMaker does not rely on comment information in the server-side
    map file to determine whether the input is CERN or NCSA format. 
    Instead, it looks only at the lines in the file that define areas of
    the map or the default URL, and it analyzes the content of each line to
    see whether the file is a CERN or NCSA map.  (In fact, you could get
    cute and hand-code a map containing a mixture of CERN and NCSA lines,
    and ClientMapMaker would handle each line correctly.  Pretty snazzy,
    huh?)  Note, however, that ClientMapMaker does only cursory error
    checking on the lines it reads.  If you're using WebMap, this isn't a
    problem -- but if you're working with maps coded by hand, things could
    get messy.
    
    ClientMapMaker supports rect/rectangle, circ/circle, poly/polygon, and
    point shapes and the default URL specification.  Any given browser may
    not support all of these.  (Netscape Navigator Version 2.0 supports
    only rect and poly.)
    
    The Fine Print
    
    ClientMapMaker is distributed as freeware.  You may use it freely, but
    the program is not in the public domain, and Northern Spy Software
    retains all rights to this copyrighted product.  Individuals may
    distribute ClientMapMaker freely for noncommercial purposes, but the
    entire package must be distributed as a unit without additions and
    without alteration to any of its components.  Contact Northern Spy
    Software for permission to include this product in collections of
    shareware or freeware.
    
    This version of ClientMapMaker has been tested only with map files
    generated by WebMap Version 1.0.1.
    
    You use ClientMapMaker at your own risk.  The software is provided as
    is, with no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, including but
    not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a
    particular purpose.  ClientMapMaker works properly on all of the
    conputers we've tested it on, but we didn't test it on your system. 
    Therefore, Northern Spy Software will not assume any risk for loss of,
    or damage to, your computer system or any information stored therein.
    
    The ClientMapMaker program and this Read Me file are (c) Northern Spy
    Software, 1997.
    
    To report bugs, or to give us an attaboy for writing this little
    doohickey, send mail to NorthSpy@aol.com.
    
    Revision History
    
    1.0B1 -- Initial release