DeSEA 1.5 Release Notes
Copyright © 1991-1994 Ken Hancock

INTRODUCTION
With the large number of multiple compression utilities, everyone has begun to
create self-extracting archives (SEAs).  While this is all-and-well,
self-extracting archives add to the file sizes of files being transferred.  While
10-20K for the self-extraction code isnÕt much, it rapidly adds up over multiple
transfers.  In addition, the use of self-extraction features on small files can
often cause the file to be larger than the original, uncompressed file.

WHAT IT DOES
DeSEA removes the self-extraction code from a self-extracting archive.  DeSEA
first saves any resources which are to be preserved, strips the resource fork,
changes the type and creator of the file, renames it with the proper file suffix,
and restores the saved resources.  Since the compressed data is always stored in
the data fork, no important data can ever be lost since the data fork is left
completely intact.   DeSEA can be run on a single file or on an entire folder of
files.

DeSEA is currently configured for the three most popular compression programs:
Compact Pro, Disk Doubler (pre-4.0 and 4.0), and StuffIt Classic/Deluxe as well
as NOW Compress.  DeSEA can be extended to support other formats without relying
on the author of DeSEA (thatÕs me) to release a new version (see below).

DeSEA will also recursively search sub-directories if the option key is held down
when dragging-and-dropping or when selecting a folder from standard file dialog
in the application.

EXTENSIBILITY
Although DeSEA is currently configured for only five archive formats, it is
extensible.  In order to add new formats to DeSEA, open up the ÒDeSEA
PreferencesÓ file in the Preferences folder of your boot drive using
ResEdit or another resource editor.  Within the file are a number of ÒDkeyÓ
resources.  A template is included to make adding new ones a snap.  Each
resource is basically a set of rules about a SEA type:

1) Item checked by default?  (TRUE or FALSE) if TRUE, when DeSEA is launched,
the convert item will be checked by default.
2) SEA creator.
3) SEA suffix.  The suffix for self-extracting archives is Ò.seaÓ
4) File Type for DeSEAÕd archive.
5) File Creator for DeSEAÕd archive
6) Suffix for DeSEAÕd archive (.dd, .cpt, .sit, etc.)

Note that a special type Ô****Õ has been designated for archives which MUST BE
SPECIAL-CASED within the DeSEA application.  Both DiskDoubler (pre 4.0) and
StuffIt archives are currently special-cased -- DiskDoubler, because of its
somewhat convoluted archive type conventions and StuffIt because the encryption
information is stored in the resource fork (not very smart, IMHO).  If thereÕs a
different archive format that you frequently encounter which fits this case, IÕll
be happy to release a new version of DeSEA to deal with them. Just drop me a
line.

DeSEA 1.4 and later will also preserve selected resources, such as the archive
comments (SitC), from a self-extracting archive before turning it into a normal
archive.  Similar to the ÒDkeyÓ resource, you can add new ÒRsavÓ resources to
the ÒDeSEA PreferencesÓ file in the Preferences folder of your boot drive.  Each
resource contains two items:

1) Item checked by default (TRUE or FALSE)
2) Resource type.

SYSTEM 7 COMPATIBILITY
DeSEA supports drag ÔnÕ drop of files or folders under System 7.
In addition, DeSEA supports the four core AppleEvents, allowing script writers
or sysops to automate the process of DeSEAÕing archives.

CAVEAT
DeSEA has been tested on various Macintoshes under both System 6.0 and 7.0. 
DeSEA provides error checking at each step of the DeSEA process.  If, for some
reason, an error occurs during the DeSEA process, the file may not be fully
converted and you will be notified of the error.  (Most likely the archive is on
a locked disk or a fileserver to which you do not have write permission.)  In
all such cases, though, the archiveÕs data will remain undamaged since all the
archive data is placed in the data fork and only the resource fork is being
modified.  In any case, you should be able to open it from the respective
archiving program.  At the very worst, you might have to change the type and
creator.

SYSTEM 6 CAVEATÉ
System 6.0.x seems to have a problem with applications other than the Finder
which change the Finder flags of an application.  If a file which is being
DeSEAÕd under Multifinder (6.0.x) is currently displayed in an open window, its
flags may not be set properly if the file is moved.  It is therefore advisable
under System 6.0.x to close the windows of files being DeSEAÕd.  System 7.0
doesnÕt appear to display this obnoxious behavior.

UPGRADING FROM 1.0
System 7 users who wish to make use of the drag & drop features of DeSEA may
have to rebuild the desktop before SEAÕs may be dropped onto DeSEA.

THANKS TOÉ
The many people who have mailed suggestions/bug reports who have helped make
DeSEA a better and more useful utility. Special thanks to those registered users
who have sent postcards -- keep Õem coming.

DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION
DeSEA is Freeware.  Online services, bulletin boards, user-groups, and
non-profit companies and organizations may distribute DeSEA without restriction.
For-profit companies and organizations which profit from programs which I have
deemed ÒfreeÓ must request permission by mail (or electronically) to distribute
DeSEA.

If you find DeSEA useful, why not send me postcard of your place of business,
hometown, school, or where you most recently vacationed.  Bug reports, comments,
and suggestions are always welcomed.

Enjoy!

Ken Hancock
64 Stillwater Drive
Nashua, NH  03062-2200

AOL: khancock
Internet: kenh@vgi.com
CIS: >INTERNET:kenh@vgi.com

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Version History

1.0	Initial release of DeSEA.

1.1		Support for DiskDoubler archives
		added configuration menu
		added support for AppleEvents

1.1.1	Maintenance release to fix potential problem with DiskDoubler archives.

1.2 	Support for DiskDoubler SEAs when AutoDoubler is installed.
		(Should also support other on-the-fly compression products)

1.3		Official release to support SD 3.0 encrypted archives.
		AppleShare/Fileshare friendly -- now uses preferences file.

1.4		Fixes problems with AppleEvent handling.
		Added support for drop-n-plop of folders
		Added support for saving selected resources before DeSEAÕing an archive.
		Added support for recursively DeSEAÕing sub-folders (hold down option key)
	
1.5		Switched to Metrowerks CodeWarrior.
		Added support for DiskDoubler 4.0 format SEAs.
		Added support for NOW Compress SEAs.
		Added support for background-only operation (used by Fetch 2.1.2).