Re: Mac fork stipper program MIA (needed for A2s)

[shack@onyx.southwind.net (Randy Shackelford)]

[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 <nathan@visi.com> wrote:
>In article <5fpn8u$2h3e@uni.library.ucla.edu>,
> <pubpc1@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