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DigiPack GS, v1.0
Written by David Kletter & Tyron Khan
(c) Copyright 1988, Fantastic Designs
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< INFORMATION >
THIS PROGRAM IS NOT FREE, IT IS SHAREWARE. You may use this program, on a
trial-basis, for 14 days with no obligation. Should you decide to continue
using this program thereafter, you may license it by sending $10.00 ($15.00
Canadian) to:
Fantastic Designs
P.O. Box 120
Woodbury, New York 11797
You may distribute this program freely, provided that you do not sell it. Your
honesty will allow us to continue developing products in this same low cost,
high quality fashion.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
DIGIPACK GS ("THIS PROGRAM"), AS SOFTWARE, IS DISTRIBUTED AND SOLD "AS IS"
WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OR MERCHANTABILITY. THIS PROGRAM IS
WITHOUT ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER. BECAUSE OF THE
DIVERSITY OF CONDITIONS AND HARDWARE UNDER WHICH THIS PROGRAM MAY BE USED, NO
WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED. THE USER MUST ASSUME
THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THIS PROGRAM. IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER FANTASTIC
DESIGNS OR THE AUTHORS BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES.
< HARDWARE >
DigiPack GS requires an Apple IIgs with a mouse. In its versatility, it
supports almost any configuration or combination of peripherals:
RAM disks (including /RAM5/ and Apple II Memory Expansion Card), ROM disks,
ProDOS hard disk drives, 3.5 drives (400 or 800k), DuoDisk or Disk II floppy
drives (or Apple 5.25 drive through SmartPort), 40-track drives, or any other
ProDOS storage device, and all IIgs memory expansion cards.
< FEATURES >
o Packing and unpacking of disks (in "DDD" or "Optimized" format) with
checksum and unique upload/download capability
o "Quick and simple" mouse interface, with rapid file selection
o Full-featured fast support for one-drive users
o Supports 40-track ProDOS-formatted disks
o Takes full advantage of IIgs expansion memory
o Intelligent disk formatting with media verification
o Fast disk/file checksum
o Disk optimization
o Full ProDOS command support
< FEATURES EXPLAINED >
Packing -- this will take the information contained on a disk and condense it
into a single file for transferring or storage.
Unpacking -- the process of taking a file (from storage or received via modem)
that contains the information of a disk and then restoring it to a disk.
"DDD" format -- the most commonly used format for data storage. It is used by
all "DDD" and "PBH" type packers, as well as the ProTERM modem software
package.
"Optimized" format -- a faster, more efficient format for use only with the
DigiPack program or DigiPack utilities. This format, however, is for use only
with ProDOS-formatted disks.
Checksum -- a value (calculated by a program, such as DigiPack) for a
particular file or disk to verify that its data is an exact duplicate of the
original.
Optimizing a disk (ProDOS only) -- writes zeroes to all unused blocks on a
disk. This will reduce transfer time and storage space, as wasted information
will not be sent.
< USE OF PROGRAM FEATURES >
Using the PATHNAME window (lower right) -- To select the device to work with,
click the mouse once on the device to highlight it. Click once again to "open"
the device. To select a file, click the mouse on its name. If the file is a
subdirectory, you may click again on its name to "open" that subdirectory. You
may now choose from files within that subdirectory. To move out of a
subdirectory, click in the large box under the word "PATHNAME".
<> The catalog displayed in the PATHNAME window will show all OPT type files
first, followed by all REL files, and finally all DIR subdirectory files. The
rest of the catalog will follow normally. This will allow faster location of
any desired file.
<> To view additional files in a directory, use the scroll arrows to move
through the entries. To move more quickly, select one of the six positions
between the arrows by clicking on it.
<> When the device list is displayed (in either the pathname or device
window), you may click in either large box to display a list of the volumes
currently online.
<> To PACK:
(1) Select the device to pack in the DEVICE window (lower left).
(2) Select the PATHNAME for the packed file, using the procedure explained
above.
(3) Set the FILENAME for the packed file by clicking in the filename button
and typing a name.
(4) Select STANDARD DDD format or OPTIMIZED format by clicking in the
appropriate button.
(5) Finally, click in the PACK button twice.
<> If any of the above steps were not completed, the program will notify you
at this time. Complete the omitted steps and click in the PACK button again.
<> After packing, a checksum is automatically written to the file for
verification of the data after unpacking (see below).
<> To UNPACK:
(1) Set the device to unpack to in the DEVICE window (lower left).
(2) Indicate the PATHNAME where the packed file can be found.
(3) Select the file to unpack by clicking on it. Its name will appear in
the FILENAME window.
(4) Click on UNPACK twice.
<> After unpacking, a "MATCH" indicates that the data unpacked is the same as
that of the disk from which it was packed. A "NOMATCH" indicates that the data
was somehow corrupted and that the data is not an exact replica of the
original.
< PRODOS COMMANDS >
<> To use ProDOS commands within DigiPack, click once in the button marked
"ProDOS Command". The device list in the device window (lower left) will be
replaced by the eight available commands (described below). To return to the
device window, click in the large box underneath the word "DEVICE".
CATALOG PATHNAME -- this option displays a full 80-column catalog resembling
the one available through the ProDOS BASIC's "CATALOG" command. After a
directory (or subdirectory) is displayed in the PATHNAME window, click twice
on "Catalog Pathname" (once to highlight it, once to activate the command) to
view the catalog. Pressing the escape key during a long catalog will abort the
listing.
DELETE FILE -- allows you to delete a file from a disk. Select the file you
wish to delete in the pathname window by highlighting it, then click twice on
"Delete File".
<> You must remove all files from a subdirectory before deleting it.
<> If the desired file is locked, the program will prompt you before deleting.
FORMAT DEVICE -- destroys all current information on a device (if any) and
prepares the disk for file storage (under ProDOS). Select a device by
highlighting it in the PATHNAME window, then click twice on "Format Device". A
cursor will be placed in the "Filename" button. Type the volume name desired,
or press return to accept the displayed default name.
LOCK/UNLOCK FILE -- if you wish to unlock a locked file or lock an unlocked
file, select the file by highlighting it in the PATHNAME window. Select
"Lock/Unlock File" by clicking on it twice. A locked file will become
unlocked, an unlocked file will become locked.
MODIFY FILETYPE -- allows you to change the filetype of a file. Highlight the
file you wish to modify and click twice on "Modify Filetype". A window will
open displaying a selected list of filetypes. Click the mouse on the new
filetype for the file, or click in the "Filetype" button and type the
hexadecimal value of the new filetype. When done, click twice in either the
"OK" button to change the filetype, or in "Cancel".
<> If the desired file is locked, the program will prompt you before changing
the filetype.
NEW SUBDIRECTORY -- allows you to create a new subdirectory for the storage of
files. After selecting the pathname (in the PATHNAME window) of the
destination of the new subdirectory, click twice on "New Subdirectory". You
may type the name you desire (a cursor will appear within the "Filename"
button), or press RETURN to cancel the operation.
QUIT TO PRODOS -- exits the program, and either returns to the application
from which DigiPack was run, or exits to the ProDOS quit routine.
RENAME FILE -- allows you to change the name of a file. Select the file that
you wish to change the name of by highlighting it in the PATHNAME window. Then
click twice on "Rename File". You may then either type the new name of the
file (a cursor will appear within the "Filename" button) or press RETURN to
retain the current name.
<> If the desired file is locked, the program will prompt you before renaming
the file.
OPEN-APPLE COMMANDS -- You may use the ProDOS commands in conjunction with the
keyboard by holding down the open-apple key and then pressing the first letter
of the desired command. For example, you could press Open-Apple-C instead of
clicking twice on "Catalog Pathname".
< ASSORTED OPTIONS >
To use the assorted options provided in DigiPack GS, click once in the button
marked "Assorted Options". Like the ProDOS Commands window, the device list in
the device window (lower left) will be replaced by a list of the available
options. To return to the device window, click in the large box underneath the
word "DEVICE".
BLOCK/TRACK/REGION OPTIONS -- these options are not implemented in this
version of the program (1.0), and are planned for a future release. Should you
decide to license the program, information will be sent to you about obtaining
future versions and enhancements of the program.
DISK CHECKSUM -- returns a value (checksum) for a disk, usually for comparison
to another disk, to indicate an exact or faulty duplicate. Two different
checksums are available, one for "DDD" format, the other for "Optimized"
format. After selecting the device containing the disk from which the checksum
is to be obtained, click on "Disk Checksum" twice. A window will open asking
which checksum you would like. Select a checksum by clicking in its button.
The program will display the final checksum after having read the entire
volume.
<> When selecting a checksum you may press "S" on the keyboard for "Standard
DDD" or "O" for "Optimized Format" instead of clicking the mouse in one of the
buttons.
FILE CHECKSUM -- similar to "Disk Checksum", but returns a checksum for a file
instead. Highlight a file in the PATHNAME window from which a checksum is to
be obtained, then click on "File Checksum" twice. The program will display the
final checksum after having read the entire file.
<> The correct "File Checksum" for DigiPack GS, v1.0 is $D836.
HELP AND INFORMATION -- this option will display a few short paragraphs
explaining the program's basic operations. After the screen is displayed,
press any key or click the mouse to return to the DigiPack screen.
OPTIMIZE VOLUME -- this option writes zeroes to all unused blocks on a ProDOS
disk (reducing storage space and/or transfer time). Select the device to
optimize by highlighting it in the PATHNAME window. Then click twice on
"Optimize Volume". The program will begin optimization and display its
progress.
RESERVED -- this option is reserved and is not implemented in this version of
the program (1.0), but is planned for a future release. Should you decide to
license the program, information will be sent to you about obtaining future
versions and enhancements of the program.
TOGGLE BUFFER SIZE -- there are two memory settings that DigiPack can be
placed in:
(1) RAM Disk write-enabled (default) -- allows the user to pack files to a
control-panel-configured RAM Disk on a IIgs with more than 256k memory
(2) RAM Disk write-disabled -- allows the program to take memory that a
"variable-sized" RAM Disk might later need.
<> You do not need to worry about "Toggle Buffer Size" if:
(a) The machine the program is running on only has 256k
(b) You are not using a RAM Disk; maximum size (control panel) is set to 0k
<> When using a RAM Disk, however, DigiPack might obtain more memory with
setting "2" (write-disabled) if:
(c) The maximum RAM Disk size is set equal to the minimum RAM Disk size in
the Control Panel (you will still be able to write to your RAM Disk).
(d) Your maximum and minimum are unequal but you do not intend to write to
your RAM Disk (you will not be able to write to your RAM Disk under
setting "2").
<> If your maximum and minimum are unequal and you intend to write to your RAM
Disk, you must stay in setting "1". To change to setting "2", simply click
twice on "Toggle Buffer Size". To return to setting "1", highlight and click
on "Toggle Buffer Size" again.
VIEW OPT FILE INFO -- allows a user to view the statistics contained within an
"OPT" file (a packed file created under the DigiPack "Optimized" format).
Highlight an OPT file in the PATHNAME window, then click twice on "View OPT
File Info". The program will display all available statistics contained within
the file.
OPTION-KEY COMMANDS -- You may use the Assorted options in conjunction with
the keyboard by holding down the OPTION key and then pressing the first letter
of the desired option. For example, you could press Option-T instead of
clicking twice on "Toggle Buffer Size".
< FORTY-TRACK OPTIONS >
<> DigiPack GS has the unique ability to pack almost any size device,
including 40-track, ProDOS-based software. It is recommended that the
"Optimized" format be used for these disks. If the "Standard" format is used,
then the unpacked file will stop prematurely at track 35 (Block 280) because
there exists no method of identifying 40-track drives from ProDOS.
<> To pack a 40-track ProDOS disk, simply follow the packing instructions for
"Optimized" format.
<> Unpacking to a 40-track disk can be accomplished in the following manner:
(1) Use the "View OPT File Info" option to ensure that the file was created
from a 40-track disk.
(2) If the "TARGET" disk is to be formatted, pre-format the disk by using
the "Format Device" option from the "ProDOS Commands" menu. 40-Track
formatting is accomplished by holding down the "OPTION" key while
pressing RETURN in the "Filename" button. If the disk is to be
formatted while unpacking, hold down the open-apple key and the
"OPTION" key. The open-apple key will force the formatting of the
target device. The "OPTION" key will force 40-track formatting.
(3) These steps need not be repeated if the target disk is already a
40-track ProDOS disk.
< ONE DRIVE OPTIONS >
<> DigiPack makes the life of users with only one disk drive much more
pleasant. It is recommended that you use the "Toggle Buffer Size" option to
maximize the available buffer space. As the buffer that DigiPack has to work
with increases, the number of disk swaps decreases.
<> When packing with one drive, the disk you are packing is referred to as the
SOURCE disk, while the disk that the packed file is being written to is
referred to as the TARGET.
<> When unpacking with one drive, the disk containing the packed file is
referred to as the SOURCE disk, while the disk that is being unpacked to
is referred to as the TARGET.
<> Two helpful features are auto-eject and polling (supported only by the
Apple 3.5 drive). When the program needs the other disk, the drive will
auto-eject, and wait for you to insert the other disk. Once it is inserted,
the program will continue automatically (this is called polling).
< MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES >
UPLOAD/DOWNLOAD -- another innovative feature contained in DigiPack is the
ability to "cross-support" devices.
<> UPLOADING -- example: A packed floppy disk (containing 280 blocks of data)
can be properly unpacked to a 3.5" disk (holding up to 1600 blocks). All
directory information will be automatically updated and adjusted accordingly.
<> DOWNLOADING -- example: A packed 3.5" disk (1600 blocks) could be properly
unpacked to a floppy disk (holding only 280 blocks) if the information on the
original packed disk did not extend past block 280. If it didn't, all
directory information will automatically be updated and adjusted. Otherwise,
an error will result during unpacking.
<> These features are particularly useful when using RAM disks, ROM disks, and
switching between 35 & 40-track disks. The user no longer needs to be
concerned with volume size; if the packed file will not fit on (unpack to) a
smaller device, an error will simply result and the user should use a larger
device.
PATHNAME WINDOW TRICKS -- there are a few convenient features to speed up file
selection in the PATHNAME window:
(1) Holding down the open-apple key while using the scroll arrows will
double the speed of the scrolling.
(2) Holding down open-apple while clicking in the large box under the word
"PATHNAME" will return to the root volume (ex: /RAM5/DATA/MISC/HELP/
would return to the root of the pathname, /HARD1/)
(3) Holding down the open-apple key while pressing escape will return the
display in the PATHNAME window to the device list.
EJECT -- if the last device accessed was a Apple 3.5 drive, you may eject the
disk by holding down the open-apple key while pressing "E".
ABORTING OPERATIONS -- while packing, unpacking, optimizing, generating disk
or file checksums, you may abort any of the the operations by pressing the
escape key at any time.
LONG PATHNAMES -- if a pathname becomes too long to fit in the box underneath
the word "PATHNAME", the program will abbreviate the prefix. For example, the
prefix "/HARD1/MYNEWFILES/OLDBACKUP/HELPFILES" would not fit, so the program
would display this pathname as "/HARD1/*/HELPFILES".
SOUND TOGGLE -- to turn off all sounds that DigiPack generates, hold down the
open-apple key while pressing "S". The same key sequence can be used to
re-enable all sounds.
OK/CANCEL BUTTONS -- any time an "OK" or "Cancel" button is shown, the RETURN
key can be used instead of clicking in "OK", and the escape key can be used
instead of clicking in "Cancel".
ONE-LINE INPUT -- when packing a disk using "Optimized" format, the program
will ask you to type in a one-line message. The message that you type will be
displayed when the file is unpacked. Certain keys have special functions while
entering a message, as follows:
Control-B : Move cursor to beginning of line
Control-E : Move cursor to end of line
Control-I : Insert characters to left of cursor (the cursor will change
to indicate insert mode)
Control-D : Delete character at cursor
Control-T : Delete all characters from cursor to end of line
Control-X : Clear line and restart
Arrow keys : Move cursor right or left, appropriately
DELETE : Delete character left of cursor
RETURN/ENTER : End input, save message to file as displayed
< NOTE TO HARD DRIVE USERS >
<> DIGIPACK SHOULD NOT BE USED TO BACKUP OR FORMAT A HARD DISK DRIVE. The
program will only recognize the first megabyte of storage, and all information
contained thereafter will become inaccessible. DigiPack CAN BE USED to pack a
file to or unpack a file from a hard disk drive. NEVER specify your hard disk
drive in the DEVICE window for a pack or unpack operation.
< FURTHER INFORMATION >
For additional information, assistance, comments, or questions, the authors
may be contacted in any of the following ways:
MCI Mail : "FANTASTIC" or 264-0103 Fantastic Designs
CompuServe : 73407,553 < or > P.O. Box 120
GEnie : F.DESIGNS Woodbury, NY 11797
<> Since our primary concern is supporting our users, we aim to provide as
much support and assistance as possible (upon licensing, you will receive
additional support information). If you are a licensed user, please include
your ID number in all messages sent, or have it available when calling either
of our voice support lines.
< ABOUT THE AUTHORS >
DAVID KLETTER founded Fantastic Designs in 1986 to unify a diverse group of
independent programmers. Since then, residing in New York, he has written for
a variety of computer publications, lectured at universities, spoken to
user-groups, and will be doing supercomputer research at the Livermore
National Laboratory this summer before attending MIT's Sloan School of
Management in the fall.
TYRON KHAN is a freelance programmer, currently residing in Toronto, Canada.
With an honors degree in computer science from the University of Toronto and
over ten years of programming experience, he has lectured in many educational
institutions and written several extensive theses on computer science theory.
FANTASTIC DESIGNS received its Certified Developership from Apple Computer,
Inc. one year ago and changed its primary focus to GS-specific software.
Although communication between cities is often difficult for large programming
tasks, this hasn't stopped Fantastic Designs. Many soon-to-be-released
products will be available over the next few months.
ProTERM is a trademark of Checkmate Technology, Inc.
Apple, Apple IIgs, Disk II, DuoDisk, IIgs, and ProDOS are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.