Re: dsk and do files

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

!smentzer@ecom.net (Steve Mentzer) wrote:

>>You are also mistaken about .shk not being possible to use with an
>>emulator.  For a fact, XGS supports .shk using a utility to turn a .shk
>>image (commonly called .sdk) into a .2MG file.  This is done as easily
>>as converting diskcopy images.
>
>You are mistaken. The "SDK" or "SHK Image" format is a DISK IMAGE FORMAT. Most

>SHK files in circulation are FILE ARCHIVES similar to a PKZIP/ARJ/LHA archive.

>There is a BIG difference between the two types of archives.

There may be a difference between a file archive and a disk image
archive, but .shk designates BOTH.  That's what Andy Nicholas
intended and that's what Shrinkit does by default.  Just because
someone down the line thought up the .sdk designation and Nathan
Mates followed suite with a GUPP that changed Shrinkits default
behavior does not make it correct.  The .shk format is an archive
that may contain either a file or a disk image with a NuFx header
and most often compressed with LZW or LZW/2.

>It is very easy to convert a DISK IMAGE to the 2MG or DSK or PO format. It is 
>incredibly difficult (and stupid) to convert a SHK ***FILE ARCHIVE*** to a 
>readable and usable disk image.

WHY?  Sure, a disk image support is needed for initially getting
ProDOS or GS/OS onto an emulator, but once a hard disk image
is created it makes PERFECT SENSE to support .shk file format.
An integrated Shrinkit type program that can take an .shk file
archive on a Mac or Wintel hard drive and unshrink the files ONTO
the DISK IMAGE would make emulators MUCH MORE USEFUL.
You could then run ANY software from legitamate sources like
the GROUND FTP SERVER or YOUR OWN GS with ease.  It
makes PERFECT SENSE.  If GS+ Magazine lasted a few more
years, there would probably be at least a Mac version of such a
program.  It makes PERFECT SENSE.  To argue against it...no
reason except an irrational preference for .dsk.

>And supporting the SHK ***FILE ARCHIVE*** format within the XGS core (or any 
>emulator) makes NO sense whatsoever.

WRONG.  See above.  Besides, why not support .shk images
instead of the non-standard .dsk images?  Why?  The answer
again goes back to Randy Spurlock and his II+ emulator, Apple2em,
which started the whole emulator craze.  He had an old copy
of Copy II+ on his real Apple II+, so he distributed Apple2em
with a .dsk image of this.  That old version of Copy II+ MADE
.DSK IMAGES...THAT's why .dsk became the emulator standard.
It is used because of INERTIA, not because there is anything
magical or better about it.  If Spurlock had known about Shrinkit
...if he had used an Apple IIe instead of a II+...it is almost certain
that emulators would use .shk as standard (either only the disk
image .shk or both disk image and file .shk archives).