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A2fx Documentation Copyright 1990-1991 Chan Wilson 91/04
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Greetings. This document is intended to assist the reader in using the program
a2fx. It will also explain some of the background behind a2fx and what is and
isn't possible with a2fx.
First off, let me point out that all a2fx is capable of doing (at this point in
time) is to read 800K HFS formatted disks (standard Macintosh 3.5" disks) and
transfer selected files across. It cannot:
o automagically transform a Macintosh application into a Apple ][
application.
o automagically translate an Excel spreadsheet into an Appleworks
spreadsheet, or any other translations that may or may not be possible using
the Macintosh application Apple File Exchange.
o automagically transfer a Macintosh font file into a Apple //gs font
file.
o write to Macintosh disks.
o read or write IBM-pc format disks.
In the future, some of the above abilities may be added. Please don't hold
your breath, however..
Now, the bright side, what a2fx can be used for:
o transferring text, DIF, and sound files from a Macintosh disk to an
Apple //.
o In conjunction with an Apple //gs program called Resource Spy, it can
transfer Macintosh font files into a format suitable for Resource Spy to
translate into Apple //gs font files.
o transferring any macintosh file onto a ProDOS disk for later
dissection and perusal.
Now that I've established what a2fx can and cannot do, let us move onto the
more fundamental issue of actually using a2fx to transfer files.
A2fx is an 8 bit ProDOS SYS file. It will run on any Apple //e and up with 80
column display capability and 64K.
Using a2fx will appear very similar to Shrinkit, both in appearance and in
action. Users familiar with Shrinkit should feel at ease using a2fx.
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Main Menu
:::::::::
The main menu of a2fx is very simple. There are only 3 choices: Transfer
files, About a2fx, and Quit. Transfer files starts you on the process of
transferring Macintosh files to ProDOS files. About a2fx is a short blurb
about a2fx. Quit will return you to the program that launched a2fx.
Pressing OA-. at almost every dialog box will return you to the main menu.
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Transfer files
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Upon entering this option, a2fx will search all 3.5" drives for Macintosh
disks. Failing to find any Macintosh disks, it will display a window of all
devices and volumes online, similar to the one depicted below:
_________________________________
| Choose Path.. |
| |
| RAM S3,D2 |
| S7,D1 |
| ZOW S6,D1 |
| S5,D1 |
| RAM6 S5,D2 |
| YARG S4,D1 |
| S4,D2 |
| |
| |
|_________________________________|
Once you have inserted a Macintosh HFS disk, press OA (open apple) O to rescan
the online disks. If a2fx recognizes the 3.5" disk as an HFS disk, it will
display the volume name of the disk with a ">" in front of the name, like so:
_________________________________
| Choose Path.. |
| |
| RAM S3,D2 |
| S7,D1 |
| ZOW S6,D1 |
| >Sounds 3 S5,D1 |
| RAM6 S5,D2 |
| YARG S4,D1 |
| S4,D2 |
| |
| |
|_________________________________|
Move the highlight bar down to the Macintosh volume and hit return.
Once you have selected a Macintosh volume, a2fx will read the root directory of
the volume and display the contents.
The layout of the filename display is such:
Folder Check Filename Type Data Creator Rsrc
Icon mark blks blks
o Choose files by pressing the space bar to mark/unmark files, and hit
return to begin transfer of the files.
o To enter a subdirectory (folder), move the cursor to the directory and hit
return or CA-downarrow.
o To move up a level, press escape or CA-uparrow.
o To change disks, hit tab.
o To select/unselect all files in the directory, press OA-a.
o To move the cursor up by a screenfull, press OA-uparrow.
o To move the cursor down by a screenfull, press OA-downarrow.
Once you have selected the files to transfer, and hit return, a2fx will ask you
how you want the files stored on the ProDOS volume.
o If you have selected more than one file, a2fx will ask you if it should
prompt for the storage method for each file.
o A2fx prompts you for the storage method of the file. There are four
options:
o Data Fork only. The most common option, this will transfer only the
data fork of the Macintosh file.
o AppleSingle format. This stores the Macintosh file (both resource
and data forks) as an AppleSingle file. Read the DTS technote for possible
uses and more information.
o AppleDouble format. This stores the Macintosh file (both resource
and data forks) as an AppleDouble file. Read the DTS technote for possible uses
and more information.
o Resource fork only. This will transfer only the resource fork of the
Macintosh file.
o Next, a2fx will prompt you for the filetype and auxiliary filetype of the
file. Use the arrow keys to change the filetype. Left and right arrows
add/subtract by one, up and down arrows add/subtract by 10. Enter the
auxiliary filetype in hexadecimal.
o Finally, a2fx will prompt for a location for the transferred files. Use
the same commands as the previous file dialog box to select a volume and
directory.
A2fx will transfer the files, displaying a status bar for each file.
To abort the transfer, press escape or OA-.
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About A2fx
::::::::::
This will display a brief blurb about a2fx, a summary of the storage methods,
and how to contact the author of a2fx.
::::
Quit
::::
Surprisingly enough, this quits a2fx and returns you to the launching
application.