A disturbing trend has developed as of late. With the proliferation of multiple compression utilities, it seems that everyone has begun to create self-extracting archives (SEAs). While this is all-and-well, self-extracting archives add to the file sizes of files being transferred. While it may not be a big deal when downloading a single file, it definitely begins to add up download after download. With DeSEA, sysops can easily convert entire download directories to non-self extracting archives, thereby decreasing storage and wasted download time.
WHAT IT DOES
DeSEA removes the burdensome code which turns little archives into big terrors. What DeSEA does is first strip the resource fork of the archive, removing the CODE, BNDL, and other unnecessary resources, reset the Finder flags, and rename the archive from a .sea suffix to its appropriate suffix (if applicable). DeSEA can be run on a single file or on an entire folder of files. DeSEA is currently configured to detect the two most common (and the only ones I know of) .sea formats, Compact Pro and StuffIt (various flavors). Since new formats are always emerging, you may configure DeSEA with ResEdit by altering the .Dkey resource. A ResEdit template is included in the application.
CAVEAT
DeSEA has been tested on various Macintoshes under both System 6.0 and 7.0. DeSEA provides error checking at each step of the DeSEA process. If, for some reason, an error occurs during the DeSEA process, the file may not be fully converted and you will be notified of the error. In all such cases, though, the archive's data should remain undamaged since all the archive data is placed in the data fork and only the resource for is being modified. In the case of an error where the type and creator have not been changed, I recommend the use of ResEdit, DiskTools, Disktop, or just about any file editor to manually change the type and creator.
The second caveat is about the Finder. The Finder has a tendency to assume that files are never changed (after all, you never save files, right?). Under MultiFinder, if DeSEA is run on a folder which is currently open on the Desktop, the Finder may not recognize that the files have been changed until the folder has been close and then reopened (at which time the Finder will read the correct information).
THANKS TO╔
The beta-testers on my local BBS╒s: Boston Computer Society, The Graphics Factory, and Tom╒s BBS. Special thanks to Barry Wolman for some good suggestions as well as many bug reports.
DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION
DeSEA is Freeware. Online services, bulletin boards, and user-groups may distribute DeSEA without restriction. Companies like Educorp, which make money on programs which I have deemed ╥free╙ must request permission, in writing, to distribute DeSEA.
Use it in good health, cut down on your phone bills, go on nice vacations, and send me a postcard. If you find DeSEA useful, why not send me postcard of your place of business, hometown, school, or where you most recently vacationed. Bug reports, comments, and suggestions are always welcome either by US Snail or electronic mail.
