Path: wuarchive!uwm.edu!dogie.macc.wisc.edu!decwrl!ucbvax!NISC.SRI.COM!cwilson
From: cwilson@NISC.SRI.COM (Chan Wilson)
Newsgroups: comp.binaries.apple2
Subject: a2fx.6 -- about & changes
Message-ID: <17222@fs2.NISC.SRI.COM>
Date: 9 Jun 90 10:22:20 GMT
Reply-To: cwilson@NISC.SRI.COM (Chan Wilson)
Organization: Network Info Systems Ctr., SRI Intl., Menlo Park, CA.
Lines: 111


		     A2FX: Apple ][ File Exchange
		    ------------------------------

A2FX allows you to transfer files from a Macintosh (HFS) volume to a ProDOS
volume.  Most commonly this will be from an HFS 800k floppy to a ProDOS 
hard drive or ramdisk, but a2fx should be able to handle HFS 1.44m floppies
as well as <32 meg hard drives. 

As of version .6, single drive use is not supported.  This should be fixed
in the next release.  Until then, I suggest you use a ramdisk, as it is far
faster than floppies. 

A2FX requires at least a //e with an 80 column card. 

A2FX has a fairly idiot-proof interface, courtesy of Andy Nicholas'
Shrinkit.  Users of Shrinkit should notice few changes in the interface.

Please note that this program is still in beta, and as such is still under
development.  To the best of my knowledge, all major bugs have been squashed.
However, if you encounter a bug, or have a suggestion, please send them to
one of the addresses listed below.

Enjoy A2FX!

--Chan Wilson

Internet: cwilson@nisc.sri.com			GEnie: cwilson6
SNAIL:3372 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto CA 94306 	AOL:cwilson		
			   ................
    Chan Wilson -- cwilson@nisc.sri.com <!> I don't speak for SRI.
Janitor/Architect of comp.binaries.apple2 archive on wuarchive.wustl.edu
			      "a2fx it!"
			   ................

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

a2fx.6 beta	90/06/09

Distribution limits removed.  I'm satisfied that the major bugs have
been fixed, and additional changes will add more features.  Feel free
to distribute this to anyone who can make good use of it.  I'm putting
it into a class of xxx-ware I haven't seen much of yet... "donation-ware."
If you like it, find it of good use, etc., feel free to send me money. :)

bugs fixed:
----------
-Invalid filenames in resource and appledouble header fixed.
-disk full handled correctly (destination file erased)
-rename dialog changed (now it's possible to actually rename things)
-"Not hfs Disk" alert removed and breakpoint removed.
-whatever else was written on the sheet I don't have in front of me. :)

features/changes/mutilations made:
---------------------------------
-removed the slot/drive mess.
-<TAB> changes devices in hfs dialog. (at least, it should.  Needs testing)
-Online now shows hfs volumes with ">" preceeding volume name.
- likewise, these devices are selectable from the online box.
-added closed-apple commands to dialog box (ca-up goes up a directory,
 ca-down enters a directory)
-widened dialog box so the entire hfs filename is displayed.
-status bar now displays when transfering files.
-added overwrite/rename/skip box for use during transfers.
-displays hfs pathname in top line of box place.
-modified the about and intro boxes a bit.
-errors are a bit more graceful.

future changes/features/etc.
---------------------------
-add delete selection (pdos & hfs)
-add rename selection (""   " "" )
-add filetype changer
-add preferences options
-add catalog selection
-possibly allow transfer of entire directories
-verify that it works with large volumes (hard drives)
-"sane" requests

far future changes/features/etc. (in random order .. need more info)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
-read lo density msdos 3.5" floppies. 
   (somebody point me in the right direction. I believe I'll need to control
    the drive directly to do this.)
-read lo density unix floppies (formatted on sparcstations, see above)
-read hi density unix floppies
   (like above, formatted on sparcs.  I can work on this as soon as AE comes
    out with their hi-density 3.5" drivers for their drive.  lo-level format
    is the same as the hfs hi-density, ergo no read problems.)
-write hfs/unix/msdos volumes
   (this should be in the next catagory, really..)

far future changes/features 
   (or, "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore..)
---------------------------
-turn this into an HFS FST, a Sun/OS floppy FST, and an MSDOS FST.
-"insane" requests


Well, that's it for now.  Send all bug reports, suggestions, money, etc. to
me, Chan Wilson, at the most appropriate of the following:

Internet: cwilson@nisc.sri.com			GEnie: cwilson6
SNAIL:3372 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto CA 94306 	AOL:cwilson		

Enjoy!  
			   ................
    Chan Wilson -- cwilson@nisc.sri.com <!> I don't speak for SRI.
Janitor/Architect of comp.binaries.apple2 archive on wuarchive.wustl.edu
			      "a2fx it!"
			   ................