◊ MediaSizer is a small utility that computes the actual size of any number of files or folders on any media. It is very useful for creating CD-ROMs and other write-once disks that have large allocation block sizes. The allocation block size is the minimum space taken up by any file that is written to a disk; the larger the disk, the larger the allocation block size.
◊ SyQuest cartridges, for example, have a much smaller allocation block size than a CD-ROM; this means that if you have lots and lots of small files on your cartridges, they may not fit on a CD-ROM even though their total size is smaller than the size of the CD-ROM. This happens because each file takes at least 9.5K on a CD-ROM, even if it's only a few bytes long.
◊ MediaSizer displays a pencil icon in the size report windows until the maximum size of the destination disk is reached; when the maximum size is exceeded, the pencil icon is shown with a red cross on it. This means that your files don't fit on the destination disk any more.
◊ If you have to give your cartridges to someone who will create the CD-ROM for you, then you'd better check the total size before he starts copying your stuff. The Finder will always stop copying when the disk fills up, but it may take a long time to figure out exactly which files didn't fit on the disk.
◊ MediaSizer uses the following default values for CD-ROMs: maximum size = 630Mb, allocation block size = 9.5K. You may change these values to anything you like by choosing "Preferences" from the "File" menu. The two "Get..." buttons allow you to inspect a disk's maximum size and allocation block size directly.
◊ The original idea for MediaSizer came from Filippo Bellotti of Silene s.r.l.
• Version history
◊ 1.2.1 - Cleaned up the code and updated documentation
◊ 1.2 - Recompiled as a fat binary, runs native on Power Macs
◊ 1.1 - Maintenance release, recompiled with latest tools
◊ 1.0 - First release, distributed by UpWare to customers only
◊ You may find the latest version of all my shareware programs by anonymous ftp to ftp.alpcom.it, inside the /software/mac/LMontalcini directory. The complete ShareDisk package, which contains all my stuff and can be registered at a very low price, is also available there.
◊ All online services and bulletin boards may make it available to their users at no charge other than the normal connection fees.
◊ All non-profit user groups may distribute it at no charge.
◊ All magazines may publish it on floppy disk without asking us first, as long as we get a copy of the issue containing our software.
◊ All CD-ROM shareware collections and CD-ROM magazines may include it without our prior consent, as long as we get either a copy of the CD-ROM or an offer to buy the CD-ROM at a discounted price.
◊ All redistribution companies such as Educorp may distribute it, as long as we get a copy of each media containing our software and a catalog of the company’s offerings (where applicable).
• Disclaimer
◊ MediaSizer shouldn’t cause any damage, but you’re using it at your own risk. It is distributed on an "as is" basis, and we make no warranties whatsoever on it.
