======================================== Text Editors vs. Word Processors ==== ======= === ==== ========== Many people consider that text editors and word processors are actually the same type of application, differing mainly on the basis of size and cost. There are, however, a number of practical features which affect how a given program should be categorized. Text editors are applications which are used strictly for editing and transforming text. In this context, "text" means a document which contains any arbitrary combination of characters, including letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and other symbols. Some examples include PostScript text files, BinHex or uuencoded data files, program source code files, or documents such as this one. The functional emphasis for a text editor is on manipulation of characters and lines (often within very large files), rather than words or other units of written language. This of course does not imply that text editors cannot or should not have word-oriented functions as well, but rather that they must handle a variety of arbitrary types of file content which word processors are not optimized for. A text editor does not commonly incorporate extensive formatting options, as its goal is to manipulate files which will be employed or passed on in digital form (e.g. as ASCII files, or as input to some external formatting or processing program). Thus, provisions for external interactions with programming environments or similar tools are also common among text editors. In contrast, word processors are applications optimized and primarily used for preparing and formatting documents for printed output. In keeping with the nature of printed documents, word processing programs naturally focus on language elements such as words, paragraphs, and sentences, and on providing extensive sets of formatting options to aid in the production of printed output. In principle, word processors can provide many of the text manipulation features of text editors. In practice, text editors are leaner and meaner: they enjoy much smaller footprints (in other words, they take up less space, both on the disk and in RAM), and are faster at display and scrolling than word processors. They contain features that most word processors don't have, such as multi-file search and replace, line-oriented text manipulation, and even more. They are ideal tools for programming, telecommunications, cross-platform text transfer, data analysis, and simple composition (such as the file you're reading now). BBEdit is a text editor. Why BBEdit is so Cool === ====== == == ==== Most text editors are capable tools. BBEdit is a power tool: - Integrated support for THINK C(tm) and Symantec C++. (THINK C/Symantec C++ version 6.0 or later required) - Support for MPW(r)'s ToolServer. - Support for the MPW "411" on-line Macintosh programming reference. - Importing and Exporting of foreign file formats via Claris XTND(tm). - Disk and Glossary Browsers. - Ability to read THINK C, THINK Pascal, and Code Warrior projects for browsing and searching. - Support for On Location(tm) for text searches. - Multi-file search and replace. - Built-in Compare utility. - Automatic line feed translation. - Stationery documents. - Ability to open multiple files with one command. - Pattern ("grep") searching. - System 7 savvy; System 6 friendly. - A/UX(tm) 3.0 compatible. Here's what some of the critics have to say about BBEdit: "It doesn't suck." - Leonard Rosenthol, Director of Advanced Technology, Aladdin Systems. "It has that, as the French say, 'I don't know what'". - Keith Rollin, co-author, Macintosh Programming Secrets "It's the feel-good hit of the summer". - Phil Shapiro, Software Engineer, Symantec Corporation "BBEdit provides much functionality in an uncluttered interface that belies its power." - TidBITS #202 BBEdit 2.5 has been designated a Finalist for the 1993 MacUser Editors' Choice Awards in the category of Best New Development Tool. Why not use Another Text Editor? === === === ======= ==== ======= There are many reasons: - None of them are as well-supported as BBEdit. Others go years between maintenance versions and major releases; we continually maintain and enhance BBEdit to meet our customers' needs. - None of them work as smoothly with your chosen development tools (THINK C/Symantec C++, THINK Reference 2.0, or MPW ToolServer) as BBEdit does. - None of them can read or search THINK C, THINK Pascal, and Code Warrior project documents. - None of them support the Claris XTND mechanism. - Or On Location. - Or have any neat features like disk browsers. - Or support for Balloon Help. And the list goes on. BBEdit has been around for a while, and continues to support its installed base. And it promises to keep on doing so. Let's face it: there are old text editors, and there are bold text editors, but there are no old, bold text editors. Specifications ============== Current Major Version: 2.5 Application Type: Text Editor Application Size on Disk: 290K Total Package Size (as distributed): 760K Documentation: 168-page perfect-bound User Manual, included with package. Maximum File Size: Limited by available system memory; theoretical max. is 2GB. Maximum number of open files: Limited by available memory. File Formats: Macintosh 'TEXT', DOS, UNIX(tm), any XTND-translatable format. Apple Event Support: 'required' suite, plus additional events as necessary for ToolServer, On Location, THINK Reference 2.0, THINK C/Symantec C++. Text Search & Replace: plain-text search, both forward and reverse. Case- and word-sensitive; 'grep' pattern-matching. Text Viewing and Editing: parenthesis balancing; smart quotes; splittable editing windows; optional display of tab stops, line numbers, invisible characters, and cursor position. Expansion: via drop-in code modules. API documented, published, and upward- compatible. Requirements ============ System Software: version 6.0.7 or later, or A/UX 3.0 or later. Hardware: Macintosh Plus or later; includes all Plus, SE, II, Quadra, Centris, Performa, PowerBook, Duo, Classic, and Power Macintosh models. Memory: 350K of RAM minimum. Compatible with Apple VM, 32-bit mode, and Connectix MAXIMA, VIRTUAL, and MODE32 software. Disk: Will fit on an 800K floppy disk with System 6.0.7 minimum installation; 1.44MB disk with System 7.x minimum installation. Pricing Information ======= =========== The pricing information presented here is for people who would like to obtain BBEdit directly from Bare Bones Software. You can also obtain BBEdit from MacTech Magazine's Mail Order Store; call (310) 575-4343 for pricing and ordering information. Customers in Australia and New Zealand should contact TechFlow Pty. Ltd. In Australia, contact: TechFlow Pty. Ltd. 5/17 Mooramba Road Dee Why, Sydney, 2099 Phone +61 2 971 4311 Fax +61 2 982 3623 In New Zealand, contact: TechFlow Pty. Ltd. 439 Lake Road Takapuna Auckland Phone +64 9 486 0659 Fax +64 9 489 6010 ----- The single-copy price for BBEdit 2.5 is $99. Quantity discounts and site licenses are available; contact Bare Bones Software at the address below for more information. There is a special upgrade price of $49 available for users of BBEdit Lite 2.3, BBEdit 2.2 or earlier, Vantage, QUED/M, THINK C, THINK Pascal, Code Warrior, or MPW. (See the ordering details section below for proof-of-ownership requirements.) This discount is only available on copies of BBEdit purchased directly from Bare Bones Software. If you are a student, you can obtain BBEdit 2.5 for the special student price of $29. The student price is only available on copies of BBEdit purchased from Bare Bones Software. Massachusetts residents add 5% sales tax to each order. For the $99 price, it's $4.95 per copy. For the $49 special upgrade price, it's $2.45 per copy; for the $29 student price, it's $1.45 per copy. To each order, add shipping and handling charges as follows: Domestic Shipping & Handling (United States Only): Shipping Method Charge** Delivery Time* --------------- ------ -------- ---- UPS Ground $5.00 varies by destination UPS Second Day Air $10.00 second business day UPS Overnight $20.00 next business day International Shipping & Handling (Canada, Europe, etc): USPS International Airmail $10.00 varies by destination UPS Ground (Canada Only) $10.00*** varies by destination UPS 2nd Day Air (Canada) $30.00**** second business day Federal Express Priority $50.00***** second business day Notes: * Delivery time is from receipt of order. Ground and two-day service orders will typically be processed within five days of receipt. Overnight orders will typically be processed on the day of receipt. (Order processing and delivery times are approximate, and can vary due to circumstances beyond our control.) ** Shipping charges are based on one copy per order. For multiple copies per order, an additional per-copy charge will apply. *** UPS Ground service to Canada is subject to import broker fees and local taxes, which are the responsibility of the recipient and are payable at the time the package is delivered. **** International UPS Second Day Air service is available to Canada only. This charge -does- include import duties and taxes. ***** Minimum charge. Federal Express shipping charges for international shipment vary by destination and weight of package. Ordering Information ======== =========== Orders should include the following: * Check, bank draft, or money order for the appropriate amount, as determined from the information above. Checks, drafts, and money orders should be made payable to "Bare Bones Software". If paying by credit card (MasterCard and Visa only), please also include the following in your order: - Your name, as it appears on the credit card. - The address to which the credit card is billed. - The credit card number (MasterCard and Visa only). - The expiration date (month/year) of the card. * The address to which your order should be shipped. * Your phone number and e-mail address, if appropriate (for registration and product support purposes). * If you're requesting a discount price, include one proof of discount for -each- copy you would like to buy at the discounted price. Proofs of Discount ------------------ BBEdit Lite or BBEdit 2.2 Users: Include a screen snapshot of the about-box from your copy of BBEdit, or a screen snapshot of the Finder's "Get Info" window for your copy of BBEdit. If ordering by e-mail, please include the creation date and version number of the BBEdit version you have. Vantage or QUED/M Owners: Send in the _original_ first page of your manual. Only original manual pages will be accepted. If ordering by e-mail, please provide the product registration number. THINK C, THINK Pascal, Code Warrior, or MPW Owners: Send in a photocopy of the first page of your manual, or a photocopy of the purchase receipt showing purchase of. This applies to any version of these products. If ordering by e-mail, please provide the product registration number. Students: Include a photocopy of both sides of your currently valid student ID or receipt for the current semester's tuition. If ordering by e-mail, please provide the name of your college and your student ID number. We accept purchase orders from large businesses, universities, and government agencies (state or federal). NET 10 terms are preferred, but we will extend NET 30. If you are a small business or reseller, please write or call for additional information. To place an order or request additional information by mail, write to: Bare Bones Software 1 Larkspur Way #4 Natick, MA 01760 To place an order or request additional information by e-mail, write to: Internet: bbedit@world.std.com CIS: 73051,3255 AppleLink: BARE.BONES To place an order or request information by phone, call (508) 651-3561. To place an order or request information by fax, fax (508) 651-7584. A demo version of BBEdit 2.5 is available on the Internet for anonymous FTP from world.std.com, in /ftp/pub/bbedit; the demo can also be found on sumex.stanford.edu, in /info-mac/text. On CIS, look for BBEDIT.DMO in various forum libraries, including MACDEV, SYMDEV, and ZMC:DOWNTECH, or use the File Finder with keyword "bbedit". The BBEdit demo package is also available from various other information services and BBSes; check yours to see if it's there. ============================================================================= Macintosh, Apple, A/UX, MPW, and ToolServer are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. XTND is a trademark of Claris Corporation. On Location is a trademark of ON Technologies, Inc. THINK C is a trademark of Symantec Corp. UNIX is a trademark of UNIX Systems Laboratory. This document is written by and copyright (c)1994 by Richard M. Siegel. It may be redistributed freely as long as it is not modified in any way. Information presented here is accurate as of the time of writing, but is subject to change or revision without notice.