This is the third release of DownLine, a uniquely different archive utility. For those of you have used DownLine before, I think you'll like some of the new features. For those of you new to DownLine, prepare to save some time because this is what it (this utility) is all about. For this release I've added most of the features people have been asking for and also some of my own. The major ones are that DownLine can now "go the other way", that is Stuff and Binhex. It can maintain a log file of its activity, including error messages. There are numerous more minor additions which are listed later in this document and in the on-line help. This is the most beta-tested version of DownLine ever. However if any bugs have crept in please let me know about them.
I've changed the benefits of being a "registered" user. From this release forward, the version of DownLine that the net.world gets "free" will be one delayed from the one registered users get. Since this "policy" starts with 1.1.1, there will be some delay before 1.2 is shipped to new registered users (probably very early '92). If you register now for 1.1.1 ($25), when 1.2 is ready it will be shipped to you. When 1.3 (or whatever) is ready, you'll get an upgrade notice ($10). Later versions will be available immediately to new users. Note: not until 1.3 (or whatever is after 1.2) is shipping will 1.2 be released as free software to the networks. And I promise: there will be no annoying "This is shareware" popup reminders or other forms of copy protection in the free versions of DownLine.
I have many interesting additions to DownLine planned such as extensions, BinHex multi-part merging, decoding of other archive formats (you know which ones I mean), user scripting, and more. If you have lots of patience, you'll get your hands on these eventually... Otherwise crack that checkbook, whip out a $25 (US dollars) check made payable to "Morpheus Systems" and send it to the following address:
Morpheus Systems
c/o Eric Bloodworth
P.O. Box 10991
Blacksburg VA 24062-0991
If you can't use high density (1.44M) disks for whatever reason, please let me know.
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• New Users of DownLine:
DownLine is an archive utility by a programmer with an attitude. His attitude is that utilities should be non-obstrusive, fast, flexible and do what you want without too much SUI (superfluous user interface) to bother you. DownLine offers set-and-forget preference files, background archiving and unarchiving, "drop-folder" operation, "drop-app" operation (Sys7), simultaneous operation with communications programs, and folder-oriented batch operations. It can (transparently and without much user intervention) decode Stuffit 1.5.1, Binhex and Packit archives and encode Binhex and Stuffit 1.5.1 archives. It is also FREE. A registration is required ONLY for additional benefits. This is explained in the on-line help and in the top of this document.
One important idea that DownLine introduces is the "drop-folder" concept. When DL is running it periodically scans an input folder for files that it can process. When it finds one, it processes it and moves the result to the output folder (which can be the same as the input folder). What the drop-folder concept means to you is that if you have a file that you want un-archived, and DL is running, you can just drop it in the input folder and DL will churn away until the file is un-archived. This can be most convenient if you put your input folder on the desktop. Additionally, (and most importantly) since most communications programs allow you to set the folder to receive files, DownLine can process files as soon as they are downloaded.
• Current users of DownLine 1.0.4
DL 1.1 uses a new format over DL1.0.4 for its preferences files. When you launch the new DL with an old preference file, DL 1.1 will act as if you've never run it before and bring up the setup dialog. Set up the preferences as you had the old preferences. Sorry for the inconvenience.
• Current users of DownLine 1.0.5
DL 1.1 should work fine with 1.0.5 preferences files.
• Current users of 1.0.4 or 1.0.5 with System 7.0
You will need to rebuild your desktop to allow dropping files and folders on the DownLine application.
• All Users:
Once you have DownLine un-archived (if necessary) and stored in its final resting place, launching it should bring up a set-up dialog. You should set the input and output folder at this point. If you don't, DL defaults to the top-level of the root drive which is probably not what you want. You can set the other options, but it is advisable to look at the on-line help windows first. After you click "Do It", DownLine will begin looking at your selected input folder for BinHex, Stuffit and Packit files. You can now look at the on-line documentation for DL by selecting the "About DownLine.." menu item under the Apple menu. You can also set the preferences again by selecting "Set Options".
DownLine can be set up to work in more than one way. The preferences file that DownLine creates in the "Preferences" folder in your system folder is double-clickable, meaning when you double click on a DL preferences file, it loads DownLine with those preferences. So, you can copy this preferences file, put it on your desktop for quick access, make several copies with different options and just have a jolly old time with it.
Famous Gotcha Explained:
If you reset "Appearance Mode", DL will exit after it scans the input folder and finds nothing new. This can be a problem if you want to change the settings. Fortunately you DON'T have to race DownLine or stick something in your input folder for DownLine to chew on so that you can get to the Set Options menu before DL finishes. Just hold any modifier(Shift, Control, Option or Command) key down as you launch DL and the setup dialog will appear.
Any Questions?
For more tips and hints, take a look at the on-line help topics "Stupid DownLine Tricks" and "Common Questions".
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History
Version 1.1.1 Fixes a bug in 1.1's Stuffit RLE code.
o Released October, 1991.
Version 1.1 Adds the following features:
o Binhex generation.
o Stuffit 1.5.1 archive generation.
o Text files can be merged into binhex files as mail headers.
o Log file option.
o Binhex mail-headers can be stripped out & saved in a ".hdr" file, appended onto one file, or appended to the log file.
o Under System 7.0, files can be dropped onto the DL application for automatic stuffing,
unstuffing, and unbinhexing. Folders can also be processed.
o Better organization of decoded results.
o The BNDL bit is checked and corrected after files are decoded.
o Core AppleEvents implemented.
o Decoding of concatenated BinHex files .
o More robust BinHex testing.
o Several minor changes and additions.
o Several minor and not so minor bugs fixed.
Note: This version was not released.
Version 1.0.5. Changes from 1.0.4
o Binary or MacBinary Stuffit files that were being downloaded to DL's input folder were being rejected by DL although there was nothing wrong with them. This occurred only when the download is to DL's input folder and DL was active.
o File scanning is asynchronously so that DL doesn't hog CPU time with slow drives or files across a network.
o The input folder scan time can be set via the setup dialog to any number of seconds.
o Top-level Stuffit folders are created with the ".sit" stripped off.
o Several minor bugs fixed.
Version 1.0.4
Initial release.
Versions 1.0,1.0.1,1.0.2,1.0.3
These were found to have serious bugs and were not released.
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How to contact the developer of DownLine: (in the order in which he'd prefer you to contact him)
o E-mail to rri!eric@vtserf.cc.vt.edu
( Some systems may prefer one of the following incantations:
