Release 1.0.5 Fixes the following bugs and insufficiencies:
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 occured only when the download is to DL's input folder and DL was active.
o File scanning now occurs asynchronously so that DL doesn't hog CPU time with slow drives or files across a network.
o The scan time can be set via the setup dialog to any number of seconds. This should also help out people running with slow drives or across a network.
o Top-level Stuffit folders are now created with the ".sit" stripped off.
o If DL's input folder is read-only it won't create the input or bad folders and doesn't try to move files that it could or could not process. This also means that DL will process those files each separate time that you launch DL on that (read-only) folder.
o DL won't create the "DownLine Bad Files" and "DownLine Used Files" unless it really needs to put something in one of these folders.
o Scanning now *really* occurs every N seconds. Previously it occurred every 80 or so milliseconds due to a bug.
o An obscure BinHex bug was fixed.
o Help windows are drawn in a less annoying way.
o Invisible files in the input folder are ignored.
Remaining (Known) Problems:
o DownLine still has problems remembering folders on a system across a network under certain circumstances since it remembers folder IDs, not names. Usually the problem occurs when the machine on which DL resides or the remote one has rebooted and somehow the remote machine's folder IDs have changed as seen from the local machine. Remembering the file path to the folder is one, kludgy way to do this that will break for foreign file systems (VMS, Unix, DOS) and require too much work to make it work for everyone. A System 7.0 alias record may work. The ultimate solution to this will probably be enabled only for System 7.0 users as there seems to be no elegant way to do it under 6.0. Any ideas?
Previous users of DownLine:
DL 1.0.5 uses a new format for its preferences files. When you launch the new DL with an old preference file, DL 1.0.5 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.
New Users of DownLine:
DownLine is an un-archiver 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 un-archiving, "drop-folder" operation, simultaneous operation with communications programs, and folder-oriented batch operations. It handles Stuffit 1.5.1, Binhex and Packit archives transparently without user intervention. It is also FREE. A registration is required ONLY for additional benefits. This is explained in the on-line help and later in 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, since most communications programs allow you to set the folder to receive files, DownLine can process files as they are downloaded.
All Users:
Once you have DownLine un-archived 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 file 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 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.
Registration Benefits:
o We will send you via "Snail" mail the latest betas of all our free software and demos of any commerical programs (none at this date, sorry). [or tell us when to send...see the next benefit]
o After this free mailing, if you send us a DSDD or DSHD disk and a SASE (Self addressed, STAMPED envelope—please use enough postage), we'll send you the latest betas. You can continue to do this as much as you want. You can attach conditions, so for example if you have some pet annoyance in DownLine that you want to see fixed, indicate that you want an update only when it is fixed. You should also state a time limit on your request in case the problem is never fixed or some feature is not added. In that case we'll just send you all the latest versions at that date.
o A cheap upgrade should any free program "go commercial".
o A manual if the product is complex enough. (not yet, but Real Soon Now...)
How to register:
o Registration is $20 for DownLine. This will cover our cost of mailing one disk to you. For additional mailings, you must send us a SASE+Disk.
o We'd like to know what king of Mac you're using or if what systems you manage and if you can use high density disks.
o If you give us no other instructions, within a month we'll send you the latest versions of all of our free software. If you want to wait for some particular feature or bug fix let us know.
o Send everything via Snail-mail to:
Morpheus Systems
P.O. Box 10991
Blacksburg, VA 24062-0991
How to contact Morpheus Systems: (in the order in which we'd prefer you to contact us)
o E-mail to irk@128.173.7.32 (Internet)
o E-mail to irk@128.173.7.109 (Internet)
o Snail-mail to
Morpheus Systems
P.O. Box 10991
Blacksburg, VA 24062-0991
o E-mail to compuserve, 72607,1472.
o Tell two friends...
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.
The Future
The following are being tossed around as future improvements to DownLine. If you have a favorite improvement, let us know with your registration. If you have some other suggestions, feel free to let us know via e-mail or snail-mail. If you just have a favorite, but no registration, and no other ideas, keep it to yourself. User suggestion is a great motivation factor for us, so you definitely can make a difference.
Compressing & Binhexing via drop folder.
Zip decompression/decompression.
Arc decompression
MacBinary detection & decoding.
Plug in modules for custom processing.
Processing files that are dropped on DL's icon, unstuffing Stuffit files and stuffing the rest. (Sys 7)
Handling aliases so that the original file is processed. (Sys 7).
