Path: news.uiowa.edu!chi-news.cic.net!arclight.uoregon.edu!news.maxwell.syr.edu!cpk-news-hub1.bbnplanet.com!news.bbnplanet.com!news.sprintlink.net!news-peer.sprintlink.net!news-peer.gsl.net!news.gsl.net!news.sprintlink.net!news-dc-5.sprintlink.net!southwind.net!onyx!shack From: shack@onyx.southwind.net (Randy Shackelford) Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2 Subject: Re: Mac fork stipper program MIA (needed for A2s) Date: 8 Mar 1997 00:04:08 GMT Organization: SouthWind Internet Access, Inc. Lines: 61 Message-ID: <5fqado$4tl@opal.southwind.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: onyx.southwind.net X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] [Apologies if this article comes out wonky, the numbskulls on my usual ISP hosed Emacs and this is a cut-n-paste job] In article <5fpqsp$fjg$1@darla.visi.com>, Nathan Mates wrote: >In article <5fpn8u$2h3e@uni.library.ucla.edu>, > wrote: >>Randy, why don't you just use GSHK, the GS specific Shrinkit, to >>open the files? The GS handles resource forks fine, if you want >>to know. That's much simpler than your round-about Mac based >>"solution." First comment: I have *never* had a problem with forked files, neither on my IIgs nor my //e with workstation card. Why? Because I use server volumes and file sharing to get files back and forth. You have no problem accessing any file on a server volume in ProDOS 8, provided every name in the path is ProDOS-legal. I am trying to lay to rest the myth that it is impossible to reliably get files to transfer. Actually I never use floppy disks, and two of my recycled AOL disks quit working on me while testing this process. Second comment: someone will have to explain to me how changing a few settings in the customize menu in Fetch is "round-about". Also, it's common for net client apps to use additional software to do stuff, either in the form of plug-ins or as helper apps. > Tip: Not everyone has a GS, and the first copy of Binscii >downloaded is unpacked under ProDOS 8, which doesn't do resource >forks, GS or ][+. Righto > And as to changing the file/creator type from the Mac side, that's >*already* mentioned in the FAQ. However, (1) Macs are not set up by >default to be Apple II file friendly, and (2) Filetype changer >programs are neither standard issue, not readily intuitive to the >average user. In any case, A2 friendly downloading thru a Mac is not >available by default-- you have to go jump thru hoops to correct >for the quirks of the Macs. You mention an obtuse, unnecessarily complicated way to change file types. Why in the crap would you use Resedit? I have an extension called Get More Info on my systems, which allows you to click on an icon, and press cmd-option-I to get a dialog where you can change types and creators. And it's freely available. Just another reason why anyone who wants to know Mac stuff should ask someone who actually knows how to use one. Also, what's more intuitive than drag 'n drop? I know it's an alien concept to those who went from Apple IIs to Brand X systems, but boy is it slick. The helper app I use is Dirk Froeling's ProTYPE, which, if it isn't on a site somewhere, could be put there in short order. It's a drag 'n drop resource stripper, binscii decoder, and file type setter all in one. So the system boils down to getting ProTYPE to process files you download, which is done with the customize menu in Fetch. Or, if doing the customization is too arduous for a user, it's just as easy to keep ProTYPE handy for drag 'n drop action once you get the files transferred. Either way, it ain't rocket science. -- Randy Shackelford shack@southwind.net