Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!fernwood!apple!brutus.cs.uiuc.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!uoft02!grx1042
From: grx1042@uoft02.utoledo.edu (Steve Snodgrass)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Self Extracting Archives
Message-ID: <90.25fc5fd6@uoft02.utoledo.edu>
Date: 13 Mar 90 07:49:58 GMT
References: <55.25f441b5@uoft02.utoledo.edu> <195@sai.UUCP> <2675@leah.Albany.Edu> <79.25f87ef0@uoft02.utoledo.edu> <10102@cbmvax.commodore.com>
Distribution: na
Organization: SUBTEC
Lines: 36

In article <10102@cbmvax.commodore.com>, andy@cbmvax.commodore.com (Andy Finkel) writes:
> 
> The thing I don't like about self extracting archives is that it reduces
> the careful person to the same level as a trusting person.
> ...
> Before the new code is ever executed on my system I run a couple
> strings type programs on it that will pick up ASCII and simple
> encryptions, and a disassembler.  (I don't try to actually decrypt
> ...
> A self unpacking achiver removes this option.  Because unless I
> write special strings tools to work on the compressed format, and
> a special disassembler, I've got no choice but to execute the
> program.  (if I went to the trouble of writing a special strings
> program I might as well finish the job and write the unpacker!  :-)  )
> 

Andy,

   Have you considered this: given a self extracting archive, you can generally
list the files it contains.  Thus, you know immediately that you're just going
to unpack some files, or if the archive is fake.  The only current
self-extracting format available on Amiga is PAK (a horrible program, I might
mention) which is capable of listing contents if you have it around.  I expect
that Lharc self-extracting format will be available soon, also with listing
capability.  This, you can easily check to see what you're executing is really
an archive.

BTW: I'm honored to have this debate with someone of Commodore fame.  I guess
the novelty of Usenet still hasn't worn off for me!

/\=======================================================================/\
\/ Reality: Steve Snodgrass  |"Volts embodied intent, and Amps were the  \/
/\  -^-^- Cyberspace -^-^-   | runners who carried out those intentions, /\
\/ GRX1042@uoft02.utoledo.edu| against the Ohms." -Gregory Benford, ToL  \/
/\ GRX1042@uoft02.BITNET     | Sleep is a luxury, spare time a myth. -me /\
\/ uoft02::GRX1042 (DECnet)  | Recumbent Amigas - the only way to hack.  \/