Re: [NTLK] Installing packages

From: NewtonGuy (newtonpad_at_alltel.net)
Date: Fri Mar 26 2004 - 01:11:06 PST


On Mar 23, 2004, at 7:34 PM, Victor Rehorst wrote:
> AKA how to "fix" your Mac.
>
> UNNA has a page about this as well as MIME types for Newton packages:
>
> http://toronto.unna.org/mac.shtml
Actually it is all about fixing what the web server broke in the first
place.

The Best way I have found to deal with this is to Zip or Stuff the
files first on a Mac wiith the File Type and Creator Codes correct.
Then put them on a server.

If that is not an option. Then use PackType.

------------ REFERENCES -----------------------
<http://www.sketchpad.net/filetypes.htm>
<http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=55381>
------------ RANT START -----------------------

The native file system used by Mac OS 9 and earlier includes a
provision for each file to contain a file type and creator code. FIle
types and creator codes are 4-character text strings embedded within
the file along with other information about the file (for example, the
file's name, its creation and modification dates, and so forth).
Through the use of type and creator codes, the Finder can determine
which application(s) can open a particular file.

File formats used by various applications are usually never needed by
the ordinary user, but may be needed by developers who are writing
translators or other utilities.

     There are two main advantages to this system:

     * Files can be named freely without regard to their format, but
Macintosh files are often named with an extension for windows user
convenience. For example JPEG files have an .jpg extension.

     * Documents of a given File Type do not all have to be associated
with the same application. A TEXT file can be associated with either
SimpleText or Microsoft Word, by virtue of the Creator Code.

The main disadvantage to this system:

     * Files may lose their File Type and Creator Codes when transported
over the internet or a network, when copied to/from non-Macintosh
computers.
(Unix and Windows Web Servers strip the resources from Mac files).
Sometimes they are assigned generic or unknown File Types and Creator
Codes, but these can be modified with ResEdit, DropInfo, or FileTyper.

Striping the File Type and Creator Codes from Mac files is the same as
removing the three letter extension. However, it is easier to add a
three letter extension. Then again if the resources where not stripped
away this would never be an issue.

I actually feel that the filetype and creator system was far better.
Alas, with Apple's move to Unix, OS X now uses the three letter
extension method. But it still recognizes File Type and Creator Codes.

------------ RANT END -----------------------

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