Re: 8-bit unzip utility

[Polymorph <polymorph69@hotmail.com>]

On Jun 28, 7:12 pm, pau...@saaf.se (Paul Schlyter) wrote:
> In article <1182918491.401217.270...@m37g2000prh.googlegroups.com>,

<snip>

> The major benefit here is the ability to use the same physical medium
> (most likely a 3.5" floppy) on both the Apple and other computers
> (Windows and Linux machines, and even the Mac!).

Hang On! Regardless of the filesystem, the only way to share a 3.5"
disk between machines is if they all could read MFM disks - and unless
you have a Superdrive controller, this isn't possible on an A2....

> > and preferrably FAT32. The code to handle this would easily be larger
> > than ProDOS 8. Then you'd need to implement MS-DOS style partition map
> > support, and drivers for any storage device that doesn't provide a
> > SmartPort 'device' corresponding to the physical volume, which most
> > don't. Supporting the Superdrive would be simple enough however.
>
> It's easy to dream, but the small amount of RAM on the Apple II does
> indeed imply some severe constraints.  So why not settle for something
> simple?  Such as: FAT-16, only short file names, only non-partitioned
> media such as floppy disks, and only the Superdrive.  Sure, long file
> names, FAT-32, partition map suport, and drivers for more modern
> storage devices would be nice - however, available memory remaining
> for your applications is even nicer..... :-)

<steps up on soap box>

Ack! I hope you guys aren't planning on making ProDOS+ (that handles
FAT-16) exclusive to Superdrive owners, as there are a lot of us out
here that don't own one!!

It would be neat to see the parent directory feature (read "cd ..")
and other enhancements make there way into ProDOS, but please don't
limit the functionality to those with Superdrive's.

I know this is pie in the sky stuff at this time - just thought I'd
get my 2c in early....   ;-)

<steps down from soap box>

cheers,
-p