Welcome to File_Collector
The front end for Arc/Zoo/Lharc
Version 1.04
By
Jamie Mueller
IMPORTANT: File_Collector makes EXTENSIVE use of the PIPE: device--so
MAKE SURE that the PIPE: device is working before you use File_Collector.
(A simple test is to "DIR >PIPE:a" and then "type PIPE:a" if you don't
get any requestors and the type command gives you the directory then your
pipe device is working)
CAUTION: Please make sure the archive & source/dest paths start with a
drive name (e.g. 'df0:...')--especially so if you are running
File_Collector from the Workbench. If you do not, File_Collector might
appear to lock up occasionally--do not fret, File_Collector is waiting
for some input from the pipe: device. To remove F_C from this 'lock up'
condition go to CLI and type something similar to "dir >pipe:fcout" (you
should see the directory on the File_Collector screen--if this does not
help, then you are locked up and have to reboot (sorry).
Also important: File_Collector doesn't seem to like being run from the
Workbench--I don't know why, but then this is only version 1.00 <grin>
This is why you don't see a .info file here either.
I wrote File_Collector to make things easier to arc/unarc, zoo/unzoo,
and/or lharc/unlharc. Since these programs all use a similar interface
(but different enough to make it confusing) I thought I'd "Amigatize"
them and consolodate them into a single 'element'.
First things first: the File_Collector screen: in the upper left hand
corner you will see a small Gadget (EVERYTHING you see is a gadget)
--labeled 'Zoo' when you first boot the program--this is the 'mode'
gadget, it tells you which program you are using (e.g. Arc, Zoo, or
Lharc). You can change the mode by clicking on the gadget, but this is
really of no use because File_Collector sets the mode according to the
file extension of the arc/zoo/lzh.
The area labeled "Archive Name" is where you set the name of the Archive
you are working with. You can do this in two ways: 1) Click in the box
and type in the name of the arc/zoo/lzh including a path to get there
(e.g. "ram:music.lzh") or 2) click in the drive box on the left and use
the file requestor to 'navigate' your way to the arc/zoo/lzh and then
click on the gadget labeled '>>>>' to the left of the "Archive Name" box.
Once you have set the Archive name you're ready to have some fun. (if you
noticed when you set the name, File_Collector recognized the type of
arc/zoo/lzh and set the 'mode' to that)
To extract the arc/zoo/lzh either type in the destination path in the
"Source/Dest path" box or use the requestor and hit the ">>>>" button to
the left of the "Source/Dest path" box. Then hit the "Extrct" button and
watch the window on the bottom while it extracts the files.
To create an arc/zoo/lzh type in the name in the Archive box (including
the extension and path--e.g. "ram:music.zoo") and use the file requestor
to pick the files and click the "Add" button for each file. NOTE: since
File_Collector does not process the file name in the "File" box you can
put wildcard characters there (at least if the version of arc/zoo/lharc
you are using recognizes them).
NOTE: to lharc/zoo up paths set the "Source/Dest Path" box to the 'root'
of the files you wish to lharc/zoo up and go from there. For instance you
want do zoo the directory 'music' on dh0: which looks like this:
DH0:
music (dir)
songa songb songc
instruments (dir)
insta instb instc
misc (dir)
stuff morestuff
you would set the "Source/Dest Path" to "DH0:music" and then click in the
"Drawer" box, clear it, and hit return (this will display the files in
"DH0:music") now you go about selecting files and hitting the "Add"
button. Just remember to never specify "DH0:music" in the "Drawer" box.
To specify a file to Delete from the arc/zoo/lharc use the "File" box and
hit the "Delete" button.
"Test" and "View" require no 'arguments' so just clicking on them will
execute that command on the selected arc/zoo/lzh. NOTE: since Zoo does
not have a "Test" command the "Pack" command is implemented instead--this
was necessary because when you delete some files from a .zoo it must then
be 'packed'.
I also hope you remembered to put Arc, Zoo, and Lharc in your C:
directory so that File_Collector can find them.
I hope this little utility makes life for you just a little bit easier..
Jamie C.Mueller <- GEnie
P.S. I zoo'ed these files with File_Collector <grin>
New to 1.01: Both the '>>>>' buttons now work correctly (sigh), and the
file 'search' is speeded up.
New to 1.02: More improvements to '>>>>' buttons. New 'Help' and 'Trash'
buttons (trash deletes a file off of disk, NOT in an archive). Plus
a scrollback 'knob' for re-viewing work, etc.
New to 1.03: Icon support added--File_Collector will now run from the
Workbench. NOTE: File_Collector opens a small window on the Workbench
screen this is for 'error' output from arc/zoo/lharc; for instance when
you create a new .arc file you will see 'Creating arc ....' in that
window (a message from the arc program).
New to 1.04: Extract bug fixed when working from the Workbench.
