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Re: System 6.x.x
In article <1994Jun9.090725.17387@nicad3.nic.bc.ca>, nicklin@nic.bc.ca writes:
|> What is a bsc file, I'm assuming that its
|> compressed and that one of the files in the utils directory at apple.com will
|> decompress bsc files (am I on safe ground?)
.bsc indicates that the executable code has been put into an ascii format. The
program binscii has the ability to compress and decompress this format.
(This is the reason for the large 820k file.) When I got the disk from the same
source, I found that after I un-binsciied my files, the disk was still in shrinkit
format, which means you need to use the program Shrinkit on the result of binscii.
Obtaining the programs binscii and shrinkit are the primary answers to obtaining
programs and disks off of ftp sites. The following info from the FAQ (frequently
asked questions) listing tells you how to get them:
Subject: How do I get files off the net?
Quick Summary:
Step 1: Make a list of files that you want
Step 2: Get files to your host (a UNIX box or ProLine BBS)
Step 3: Get files to your Apple II
Step 4: Create BINSCII
Step 5: Create ShrinkIt
Step 6: Use BinSCII & Shrinkit to create Shrinkit GS
Step 7: Extract the files you _REALLY_ wanted
Step 1: Make a list of files that you want
1) You need BINSCII (binscii.exe) and ShrinkIt (shrinkit.3.3.exe.bsc)
unless you already have them, or know someone who has them.
2) If you have a GS (and use GS/OS), you will want Shrinkit GS
(shrinkit.gs.exe) and GSCII (gscii.bsc)
3) Add any other files you want. Don't try to get everything the
first time around. Try one or two test files for starters.
Note: Filenames will vary from site to site. Shrinkit and Binscii
are usually available on all the Apple II FTP sites.
Step 2a: Get files to your host (For ProLine users)
1) Dial up your host and log in.
2) I'm not familiar with ProLine, so I'll be vague here. Just go
into the files section and look...
Step 2b: Get files to your host (For UNIX, using FTP)
1) Choose an FTP site from the FAQ
2) At your UNIX prompt, type "ftp ______" (fill in site name)
3) At the "Login:" prompt, type "anonymous"s
4) Type in your e-mail address
5) Type "bin"
6) use "cd ____" to get to where the Apple II files are
7) Locate each file (more "cd ___"'s and "ls" (list files). Also,
"cd .." will move up a directory.)
8) use "get ______" to get it
9) When you are done using FTP, type "quit"
10) Advanced users may want to run uudecode, uncompress, tar, SciiBin,
or Nulib on the files before they download them.
Step 3: Get files to your Apple II
1) Find out what file transfer protocols your Apple communications
package supports. (see below for a list)
2) On your local comm program, set your file transfer type to Text
(TXT) or Binary (BIN) depending on what type of file you are
downloading. If there is an option to "strip incoming linefeeds",
try turning it on.
3) Get your host to send you the file. I don't know about ProLine,
but UNIX users can use these commands:
For Z-Modem: "sz ___ ____ ____" (file names)
For X-Modem: "sx ____" (one at a time)
For Kermit: "kermit", then "put _____" (filename)
5) If needed, tell your local communications program to Receive. You
must do this quickly, or the other host will give up trying to
send the file.
4) Write down the full pathname of the files you downloaded and where
you put them. There will be a quiz later. Pathnames look like
"/DISK/DIR/FILE.NAME"
Note: If something goes wrong, hit ESC, Ctrl-X or Ctrl-C 3 times.
If you can't get one protocol to work, try the next one
down. Z-modem is much faster than the others. You will
want to find a program that supports it.
Step 4: Create BINSCII
1) After you disconnect, go into Applesoft by starting BASIC.SYSTEM
2) At the `]` prompt, type 'EXEC ____' (your BINSCII file name)
Note: If you get ?SYNTAX ERRORs then something went wrong. Try
looking at the file with a Text Editor.
3) Type "cat" and look for BINSCII (type 'SYS')
4) type "-BINSCII" or "-BINSCII.SYSTEM" depending on above
Note: You should get the BINSCII opening screen.
Step 5: Create ShrinkIt
1) If your Shrinkit file ends in ".BSC" then (In BINSCII) type in
the filename of your ShrinkIt file
2) Quit BINSCII. Get into AppleSoft again.
3) Type "EXEC SHRINKIT3.3.XTX" (you may need the full pathname)
4) Run ShrinkIt with "-SHRINKIT.SYSTEM"
Step 6: Extracting everything else
1) If it's BSQ or BSC, run it through BINSCII
2) If BINSCII creates a ".SHK" file, or if you download a ".SHK"
file, then use ShrinkIt on the file. It's easy to use and it
doesn't give you the dreaded "FILENAME QUIZ!"
This FAQ is something which you really should obtain and read very carefully.
You can get it from the following sites. You may have some trouble
finding the FAQ on some sites, but keep trying different ones,
it'll be on one of them.
Host plaza.aarnet.edu.au (139.130.4.6)
Last updated 11:13 8 Feb 1994
Location: /usenet/FAQs/news.answers
DIRECTORY drwxr-xr-x 512 bytes 19:39 10 Jan 1994 apple2
Host lth.se (130.235.20.3)
Last updated 11:18 7 Feb 1994
Location: /pub/netnews/news.answers
DIRECTORY drwxr-xr-x 512 bytes 06:42 10 Jan 1994 apple2
Host ftp.sunet.se (130.238.127.3)
Last updated 11:20 5 Feb 1994
Location: /pub/usenet/news.answers
DIRECTORY drwxrwxr-x 512 bytes 05:36 11 Jan 1994 apple2
Host plaza.aarnet.edu.au (139.130.4.6)
Last updated 11:13 8 Feb 1994
Location: /usenet/FAQs/comp.sys.apple2
FILE -r--r--r-- 37351 bytes 12:31 10 Jan 1994 comp.sys.apple2_-_Fre
quently_Asked_Questions_(and_answers)_part_1_of_2
Host plaza.aarnet.edu.au (139.130.4.6)
Last updated 11:13 8 Feb 1994
Location: /usenet/FAQs/comp.sys.apple2
FILE -r--r--r-- 51269 bytes 12:32 10 Jan 1994 comp.sys.apple2_-_Fre
quently_Asked_Questions_(and_answers)_part_2_of_2
Host ftp.uwo.ca (129.100.2.12)
Last updated 11:09 31 Mar 1994
Location: /doc/FAQ
DIRECTORY drwxrwxr-x 512 bytes 01:21 13 Oct 1993 apple2
|> Secondly, if I only have a
|> floppy drive system, how am I supposed to get an 820K file onto an 800K
|> diskette?
|>
If you have an extended memory board, download the 820k file to your
RAM disk. (accessed through your control panel) If you don't have an
extended memory board, I think you are out of luck.
Un - binscii the file to an 800k disk. It will fit, but will probably be
a .shk file.
If it is a .shk file, copy the file from you 3.5" drive to the RAM disk.
Un - shrinkit the file to another 800k disk. The result should be the system
disk.
Chris Sherman
sherman@agouron.com