Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!motcid!derosa
From: derosa@motcid.UUCP (John DeRosa)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.apps
Subject: Compactor - A reason not to use
Message-ID: <5490@crystal9.UUCP>
Date: 3 Jan 91 21:18:57 GMT
Distribution: comp
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Div., Arlington Heights, IL
Lines: 109

Now, don't get me wrong, I like compactor, especially
because it is fast and creates those lovely self
extracting archives that I personally love to send
to all my friends (it makes their life so much 
easier).

My problem is with people using Compactor files
for the info-mac archives.

1) Compactor can't do binhex - This means that 
everytime that I retrieve a file from the archives
(and I retrieve a lot of them), I need to 
use one program to un-binhex, exit that program
and then double click on the Compactor .sea
file. If I run into a  plain .cpt files
I need to run Compactor itself, twice as bad.

Which leads to.....

2) Compactor .sea files don't let you pick
where you want the resulting files to be
un-compacted to.  You end up with files
in places that you don't want them.

How much extra space
would it cost in the .sea file to add the
code to bring up the save as dialog box?
It is just a system call, correct?
I admit my ignorance here, it may very well be too
difficult to implement).

Solution
========
Use Stuffit Classic to stuff and then
binhex the file.  This optimizes the 
process by allowing one program to 
do everything, albeit multiple steps
in this one program.

It amazes me that the people who are going
through the trouble of sending files
to the archives (God bless them all),
don't notice that it took them multiple
applications to put the file in a form
that was uploadable.

My Procedure
============
The way I use Stuffit Deluxe to "decode" my
downloaded archive files, is to open
the binhex file (cmd-h).  This will
bring up a dialog box that allows me
to BOTH decode the binhex and 
automatically open the resulting 
archive (.sit file).  

Thus with a few operations in ONE 
application, I can produce the
required files. Unfortunately,
I end up with some debris, .hqx and
.sit files that I have to trash.  

Also, by using Stuffit, I get the
opportunity to indicate where the resulting files
should go.

BTW, I have seveal folders set up
to help this operation.....

hqx.files folder
     |  |
     |  V
     |  old.files folder (storage)
     V
    sit.files folder (to the trash later)
       |
       V
       finished.files folder
	 |  |  |  |
         |  |  |  +> empty folder 1
         |  |  +> empty folder 2
         |  +> empty folder 3
         |     .
         +> empty folder n

All in all, this goes fairly easily
until I run into a .cpt or .sea file
or one of those pesky Lpunch files.

Ultimate Solution
=================
How about some mad person of a programmer
making a single program that will, in
one easy step, create the compressed
and binhex'd file for uploading. 

The same program would also be able to
un-binhex and decompress the file in
one easy step.

IT WOULD BECOME THE WORLDWIDE STANDARD
AND MAKE THE AUTHOR MANY, MANY $$$$ (IMHO).

Thanks for listening, John
-- 
=       John DeRosa, Motorola, Inc, Cellular Infrastructure Group          =
= e-mail:    ...uunet!motcid!derosaj, motcid!derosaj@uunet.uu.net          =
= Applelink: N1111                                                         =
=I do not hold by employer responsible for any information in this message =