Mac to Apple // downloaders: ProTYPE works!!!!

[NOSPAM***bjbear@ibm.net (B.J. Major & Dennis J. Gorin)]

I just want other Mac users who are also Apple // users like myself to know
what I've gone through trying to use this "Binscii" program in Applesoft in
order to use files downloaded via the Mac on an Apple // machine.  For
those yet not in the know, and previous to the successful conclusion at the
end of this message, without "Binscii" working, you can't get files you
download un-binsciied (taking off the binary wrapper), and if you can't do
that, you also can't "unshrink" (unpack) them for usage.  However, I
followed Mr. Mates' instructions on the Apple 2 FAQ to a T; in fact, I
followed them over and over with the following frustrating results:

I downloaded both the Binscii program and other .bsq and .shk files that I
wanted to use on my Apple // in *binary* format using the "Fetch" FTP
application on the Macintosh end.  I then took a ProDOS formatted disk and
copied the file to that disk.

I then booted ProDOS on the Apple //, exited to the ] command, ran a
catalog of the disk and it gave me the "magic" number of 5645 (or whatever
that number is; I don't have the FAQ in front of me).  That much was
correct.  The file type at that time on the screen was $00.  I was not
familiar with what that meant, so I proceeded to try and change the
file/creator type with the instructions that Mr. Mates gives in the FAQ
(this involves a few lines of basic programming).  This was rejected by the
computer as I kept getting "I/O error" (there was NOTHING wrong with my
disk) and "File Type Mismatch" over and over.  Mr. Mates says at this point
that if things do not work, the Macintosh has put a resource fork on the
file and that this can be verified with ResEdit.   So I take the file back
to the Macintosh, open ResEdit, and low and behold, the file creator and
type are exactly what they should be (verified with the "get info" menu
selection); but I get a warning from ResEdit that this file contains no
resource fork and opening the file in ResEdit will give it one.  I hit
"cancel" and do not open the file.

So there is no reason "in theory" why I should not have gotten this Binscii
program to work.  I tried for a week to work on this with absolutely no
success.  I then put it all aside.

Then I reasoned, "why in this day and age should there have to be such an
arcane solution to this problem?  This is like working back in 1985?!!" 
Enter Randy Shackelford  to introduce me to ProTYPE--the drag and drop
application for the Macintosh end of the downloading (after Fetch).  This
program does exactly what the "read me" file says it will--prepare the file
for Apple // usage, ensure that the file/type creator are correct, and
ensure that the file has no resource fork.  You will see most of the files
you download (with a few exceptions) turn into "ProDOS document"(s) from
just plain "document" right on your Mac under the "Kind" listing on the
window.  I could then use GSCII+ on the GS or Shrinkit to unstuff the file
for immediate usage.

After more than a weekend of use, I can tell you that this program does
exactly what it says it will.   All with no hassle, muss, or fuss.   
ProTYPE should be as available as "Shrinkit"  and "Binscii" are on the FTP
and web sites, but unfortunately it is not.  I hope this soon changes, as I
am sure I'm not the only person who uses both Macintosh and Apple //
computers equally.  The Apple2 FAQ also needs to be changed to reflect this
new information, and also needs to be reworded as to not make it so
difficult for those who download on the Macintosh end with a TCP/IP
connection.  There IS a better way!

--B.J. Major
Apple //, ///, Macintosh user/supporter/collector
bjbear@ibm.net  (alter email address before replying)