Public beta for AlphaX!
HTML Mode
Pages
You can now register online!
There are both
normal and
secure
versions of this form.
See here for
comprehensive instructions on how to pay for Alpha.
Alpha is a Shareware Macintosh text editor. Alpha is:
- Powerful. Alpha uses Dr. Ousterhout's Tool Command Language
(Tcl) as a scripting language. Tcl is rapidly becoming a popular extension
language over many different hardware platforms.
- Customizable. Any function or keystroke sequence can be bound to
any key, menus are completely user-specified and modifiable.
- Emacs-ish. Alpha supports many of the key bindings and central
concepts of GNU Emacs. It is not a port, however, and uses a Tcl instead of
LISP as an extension language.
- Multi-modal. Alpha supports mode-specific:
- bindings
- menus
- keyword colorizing
Alpha currently has more than 20 different modes, including modes for the following
languages: Ada, C, C++, Fortran, HTML, Java,
Pascal, Perl, Postscript, Scheme,
SQL, Tcl, and TeX (including both LaTeX and LaTeX2e).
- Interoperable. Alpha allows user scripts to build and send
arbitrary AppleEvents. Currently, the default configuration of Alpha
inter-operates with several different compilers, including
CodeWarrior
and Symantec C/C++, several
LaTeX
implementations, including
OzTeX, DirectTeX, and
Textures
(although Textures' AppleEvent support is currently very
weak), and several other applications, such as
MacPerl,
BibTeX, Excalibur,
and the ToolServer.
- Native on the PowerMac.
- Internet services:
Internet Config-aware.
Includes interfaces to web browsers,
Eudora
(create, send and receive mail from within Alpha!), and
Archie (remote file
editing).
- Uses the latest Apple technologies, such as Drag and Drop, and AEGizmos.
- Uses Ramon Felciano's Mercutio menu definition routines.
Alpha has been reviewed
in Macworld,
MacTech,
Volume 10, Issue 7, TidBits, the Italian and Australian versions of
Macworld, and received a Cool Tool
Award.
Version:
The current version is
7.5. Version 8.0b1 is in public beta testing.
Mailing Lists
Kagi Software (the firm that now handles my registrations) is in the
process of accumulating the infrastructure necessary to
support mailing lists. Once this happens, I will put together lists for
general Alpha questions, bugs, and programming. In the
meantime, Tcl developers can subscribe to ALPHA-D@listserv.syr.edu by
sending the message SUBSCRIBE ALPHA-D to
listserv@listserv.syr.edu
which subscribes you to the ALPHA-D mailing list.
Tcl-related links:
Contributing Tcl authors:
- Tom Scavo (LaTeX mode)
- Tom Pollard
(BibTeX and MacPerl modes)
- Scott Brim (past HTML mode maintainer)
- Johan Linde tools (current HTML mode maintainer)
- David C. Black (Electric Alias code)
- Vince Darley
- Mark Nagata (all-around bug chasing and code fixing)
- Many, many others have contributed, but the above are actively
maintaining specific modes.
Registering:
Alpha is shareware; it is not free. Please pay the shareware fee if you
use Alpha more than 30 days. Registrations are handled by the
Kagi Shareware service run
by Kee Nethery. In addition to cash in various currencies and US dollar checks drawn on US
banks, Kagi Shareware also accepts credit card registrations by mail, fax, or e-mail (your card
number is scrambled). For organizations, they handle invoices and site licenses, too. For more
information, run the Register program. It creates a customized registration form and tells you
what to do with it. Register is included with each of these shareware programs, or you can
download it here:
Download Register
Alpha can also be registered by sending cash or checks to me directly at:
- Pete Keleher
8006 Barron Street
Takoma Park, MD 20912
You can now register online!
There are both
normal and
secure
versions of this form.
Downloading:
Download the current released version
here.
Email: keleher@cs.umd.edu
The
Alpha Text Editor
