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From: Adam.Frix@p2.f200.n226.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Adam Frix)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Public Archive Format Issues
Message-ID: <71882.26FAF85A@cmhgate.FIDONET.ORG>
Date: 22 Sep 90 00:40:30 GMT
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Matthew T. Russotto writes in a message on 20 Sep 90 to Australias Largest Mac
Users Group:

MTR>  *FLAME ON* You presumptious shithead. What makes you think that 
MTR>  YOUR situation is universal, or even common?

The same thing that makes the Unix folks out there think that _their_ situation
is common enough to demand that the files with the name StuffIt on them forever
remain in a documented format.

I have to agree with Australia here.  Accessing archives from foreign platforms
is an unusual occurrence, one that Aladdin shouldn't lose sleep over just because
they haven't accommodated it.

As for BBS operators and archive maintainers, my experience is that BBS operators
on IBMs and whatnot just ask me to check questionable files out for them.  No
problem.  Is there an unsit on the IBM, for the 1.5.1 files?  If not, it takes
credence away from the argument that such a beast is necessary.  It takes the
wind out of the sails of those demanding such access.  I've not seen such a
beast, but then again, I'm not looking.

Access to StuffIt files on foreign platforms?  Will Aladdin be forced to support
the Altair?  How'z about the Apple II+?  Apple III?  I mean, undoubtedly *somebody*
is getting .dlx files on his Commodore PET and wants to peek at them before
he takes them to his Mac.  Where does it end?  I want an unStuffer for my Radio
Shack Model 100!

(You say, "If the file format was public, you could write your own."  I say,
the file format is Aladdin's.  If they don't want to make it public, that's
their choice.  I can choose to use it, or not, for reasons of my own.)

--Adam--
 

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