For general info about Decode da Code, please see the Read Me Decode da Code document.
Getting Started
Installation: You can drag the Decode da Code folder to any part of your hard disk, but typically you would put it in the Applications folder. Decode da Code does not need any extensions to run. To decode an encoded file, drag the file over the Decode da Code application icon and drop it into the icon.
System Requirements
Decode da Code requires System 7.1 or higher. Internet Config, which is built into the Mac OS from Mac OS 8 and up, is strongly recommended for post-processor support and correct file icon mappings, so that you don't get generic icons from decoded files. Mac OS 9 gives you non-modal notifications, so when an error occurs, you don't have to stop everything to click on the "OK" button. Decode da Code has been tested on Mac OS 9.0.4.
Setting up Decode da Code with MT-NewsWatcher
You can use Decode da Code as a stand-alone application, but it becomes even more useful as a helper application for other applications such as MT-NewsWatcher. Other versions of NewsWatcher can also be configured similarly, but configuring them might be different in the details.
1. NewsWatcher Preferences: Launch MT-NewsWatcher and select File->Preferences (e.g., select "Preferences" in the "File" menu).
2. Extracting binaries: Scroll down the icons on the left side of the preferences window, until you get to the "Extracting binaries" icon. Click on that icon.
3. Set uuDecode and MIME Base64: Click on the "Set..." button on the "uuDecode" line and navigate your hard disk until you find Decode da Code. Do the same for the "MIME Base64" line.
4. You're done: Now, when you open a message that has been encoded, you can use the "Extract Binaries..." command to decode those messages.
Where's the Open command?
Since there's no way to open files for decoding from within the program, you'll have to drag encoded files onto the application icon (or an alias to it) in the Finder. Placing an alias to Decode da Code in a tabbed Finder window lets you have the icon conveniently located.
Auto-Quit
If you launch Decode da Code by dropping a file onto its icon, or through another application such as NewsWatcher, Decode da Code will automatically quit after it decodes a file. However, if an error occurs, or a shareware notice pops up, it will hang around for 15 seconds to let you read the message.
Setting Preferences
There's a preferences dialog box accessed through the File menu.
• Delete original after decoding
This deletes the original, encoded file after all of its encoded parts have been decoded, unless an error occurs while decoding the file. Careful — deleting is quite permanent! Useful for keeping your disk free of the unneeded intermediate files that NewsWatcher creates. By default, this option is off, which means that Decode da Code doesn't delete anything.
If you hold down the option key while dropping files onto the app, your originals will not be deleted. Also, if another application sends a file to Decode da Code and you have the option key held down, Decode da Code will not delete the original files.
• If a filename is longer than 31 characters:
This affects how long filenames (longer than 31 characters) will be handled. In all cases, the original filename extension, such as .jpg, .gif, and .mp3, will be kept, and the original filename will be stored in the file's "Get Info" comments field. Here are the options:
"Truncate the name" will cut off the end of the name to make it fit the Mac's 31 character filename limit. If there are multiple extensions on a filename, only the last one is kept.
"Remove the middle" will take characters out of the middle of the filename, starting with the 8th character, leaving you with the first 7 characters and usually the last 19 characters of the original filename, with an ellipsis (…) representing the removed characters.
"Create folders" will attempt to preserve as much of the original filename as possible by creating folders to break the filename into more manageable chunks. For example, if the filename is "A Very Long Filename", a folder is created called "A Very Long" and inside that folder is a file called "Filename", so that the path for that file is "A Very Long: Filename".
It does this by breaking up the filename into parts at convenient places, making those parts into folder names, and placing the folders in a hierarchy so that they read like the original filename broken into separate lines. When looking for convenient places to break the filename, it first looks for typical path separators, which are the dash (-), the slash (/) and the backslash (\), and second for spaces or punctuation. Also, it tries to avoid having folder names less than 7 characters long, so that it doesn't have to create too many folders.
• If an error occurs:
These are your notification preferences.
"Notify me with a message" means that the Notification Manager will be used to pass an error message detailing the reason for the problem and which file has the error. Under Mac OS 9, a small yellow window will pop up in the upper right corner of the screen, while older versions of the Mac OS will show a dialog box.
"Notify me with the alert sound" means that the default alert sound, or system beep, will be played when an error occurs.
"Don't notify me" means that nothing will happen when an error occurs.
Advanced:
• Search remote volumes for post processors
This affects post-processing. If, in Internet Config, you have set up your Internet Preferences to post-process certain file types (set up in File Mappings), Decode da Code will look for the application to open to post-process those files. With this option on, Decode da Code will look on both local and remote volumes (disks, servers, etc.) for the application to open. With it off, as it is by default, Decode da Code will look only on local volumes for the application.
Registering Decode da Code
Please see the "Read Me Decode da Code" document, in the Shareware License section, for the skinny on shareware. When you're ready to register, just go to the Register menu.
The Register Menu
To register, or to just get the latest update on Decode da Code, use the Register menu in the Decode da Code application. Here's what each of the menu items will do:
"Go to www.felttip.com" will launch your Web browser and point it to the Felt Tip Software Web site. <http://www.felttip.com/>
"Register on the Web" will launch your Web browser and point it to the starting page for registering and paying for Decode da Code. <http://www.felttip.com/register/>
"Register Offline" will launch the Register application, which does not require an Internet connection to work. The Register app will let you fill out a form that can be mailed, faxed, or copied into an email message for sending to Kagi.
"Enter License Code" will let you do the final step in registration, which is entering your name and license code into Decode da Code. After you do this, the shareware reminders will no longer appear. If you throw out your Decode da Code preferences file, or run Decode da Code on a different machine, you will have to re-enter your license code, so make sure to store the code somewhere safe.
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Disclaimer
I make no warranty whatsoever, either implied or expressed, as to the correct functioning of this software. When using this software, the user assumes all responsibility for any damages caused, directly or indirectly, by its use.
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Lucius Kwok
email: <lucius@felttip.com>
web: <http://www.felttip.com/>
snail mail: 807 Keely Place / Philadelphia PA 19128 / USA
