Anyone Know difference between pure Text Document and Plain Text Document?

I am having a **** of a time trying to figure out how to create a "text document" on the Mac. From what I've read, it's not possible to create a pure "text document" with Mac .... only possibly windows.

I have a text document (created in Textedit in Mac),that can only be saved as either a "plain text document" or a "rich text format (.RTF) formatted file.
I need to save (or re-create), the text file in a file that will save as a
"text document".

In either the <command+I> option, or in a folder window line description, I need to see the text file saved as the wording or a "rich text format (.RTF) .... and not "plain text document" or a "rich text format (.RTF).

Evidently, the difference between the text files that Apple TextEdit creates, and those that are a pure "text document", have something to do with the hidden carriage return command language at the end of the command lines ... or something like that.

The text file is being used as a command text file for a modified VTC Training "set-up folder/GUI" that will run on either Mac or Windows.

I have seen on-line, some mention that using windows "notepad" (texteditor) may be the only way to create a true "text document" labeled file.

Any suggestions, or knowledge in this area would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks! -David

Message was edited by: DavidMac

800 mhz eMac/Superdrive, Mac OS X (10.2.x), LaCie External Hard Drive, 1 GB RAM

Posted on Aug 3, 2008 10:17 PM

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5 replies

Aug 4, 2008 12:41 AM in response to DavidMac

The way to preserve an existing "text document" is to import it into OS 9.2 and
open it up in Apple Simpletext (text edit program).

Changes can be made to the original "text document" (not an original .rtf or .txt file, which aren't true "text documents" by title description). When changes are made to the original "text document", they are saved in Simpletext as a "text document" (not .rtf or .txt - these are OSX file descriptions).

The file can be read back by OSX Textedit, or by PC, with no problems. However, if the slightest changes are attempted in OSX on that "text document" (once back from your OS 9.2 changes ... OSX will only be able to save it again as a .rtf or .txt (plain text file) ... not a pure "text document" as made or corrected in OS 9.2.

I'm glad I still have Apple OSX "Classic" available for these kind of rare changes needed.

I have spent a few weeks now, trying to figure how to create/modify an existing pure "text document" using a Mac ... without relying on going to any PC text edit programs ... and this method of running it through the old Simpletext program in OS 9 finally worked out to be the answer this evening!

Message was edited by: DavidMac

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Anyone Know difference between pure Text Document and Plain Text Document?

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