Re: What is SCIIBIN?

[tsetse@vertigo.helix.net (Peter Furmedge)]

HOLTG (HOLTG@ctrvx1.Vanderbilt.Edu) wrote:
: I recently downloaded SCIIBIN from the apple2.archive.umich.edu ftp site
: because I heard that it could save time during downloading.  What exactly
: does this program do???  How do I get it to work?
: When I downloaded it, it was SCIIBIN.TAR.Z.  I then converted it to
: SCIIBIN.TAR using GSHK.

: HOW DO I GET RID OF THE .TAR ENDING???

: Is there a program for the IIgs that will "un-.tar" a file???

: Thanks for any help!
: Gayle Holt

: internet:  holtg@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu

sciibin is the equivalent of 'un'binscii written in c for compiling onto 
your system. usually you would use this on your friendly local unix box 
to unbinscii files you've d'loaded (by ftp or from usenet.) the process 
tends to go much faster on a unix box. the resulting file, usually a 
shrinkit file, is some 30% smaller and hence will transfer to you apple2 
in a shorter time.

'.Z' is the designation for a unix 'compress'ed file. on a unix box, 
'uncompress <filename>' will uncompress the file. GSHK also has that ability.

'.tar' represents a unix 'Tape ARchive' which just means that its a whole 
bunch of files that have been stuck together (but not compressed) to make 
one object/file. 'tar -xvf <filename>' should undo the tar, if i remember 
correct. that's in unix, of course. my GNO/ME manual says that it can 
untar a file; there are probably other programs for apple2's also.

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