Syd,
Yes, I got the links by reviewing my off-line file of messages (just over 700 pages).
As for capturing the messages, I do cut and paste from SI to WordPerfect (which I can convert to Word and other formats). The process "now" (see *** below) involves marking the text on the SI page with my mouse, pressing Ctrl-C, pressing Alt-Tab to switch to WP, Ctrl-V to paste, then Alt-Tab to switch back. After marking (1-3 seconds), the process takes 2-3 seconds.
Also, I always capture the messages into an empty "temp" WP file, because I run a series of macros to better format the information. I've shared both the WP file with a few people who've asked for it. Also, I've emailed the macro instructions (all keyboard memorization, no programming) to people. For a 40-50 page "temp" file, the macros takes about 1 minute on top of the 2-3 seconds. (I run 4 macros (built over several days) across the file, though all could be combined into one quite easily. I've just not gotten around to it.)
I'm happy to share the GIFS SI file, capturing procedures and macro explanations with anyone who want them.
*** I am looking into using the Ctrl-A (Select All) command in Netscape to mark all text on the SI message page. There's a few lines of extraneous text, but because it is consistently placed above and below the message, I believe I can build a macro to cut out this text quickly. This would cut down the time to mark text for capture (relatively slower with a mouse) to about 1 second. Over a lot of posts across multiple threads, this time savings adds up. ALSO, I am looking into a shareware utility I remember seeing that appends a new print job to the end of the same file. Using a Text Printer in Windows, this could have the same effect as Ctrl-A, and thus, a macro can reformat. This "may" cut off the 3-7 seconds cut and paste per message and replace it with the printing function. AND IDEALLY, I am looking for some way to build a Windows macro or use an Internet tool (I have a few I'm looking into) that will automatically download message pages for review off-line. One tool I've heard about builds a searchable database of all pages from a WWW site, thus making them available without manual capture and reformatting. This same tool could be used to monitor the GIFS (and other companies') WWW pages for changes.
Hope this helps you. I'll pass along any new ways if and when they arise.
Let me know if you want the WP file, macro instructions, etc.
And the adventure continues... |
