Creating .zip files in Panther

R

RonaldMacDonald

Registered
I used to use drop stuff and drop zip. I would create .sit files for Mac users and .zip for Windows users. So what's the deal with Panther, you only need to make .zips? Can I leave drop stuff off the machine altogether? Can OS 9 users open zip files without having to have any special software? In other words, can I get by without having to make .sit files anymore?
 
Unfortunately, no. 10.3's zip files only work on 10.3 systems when you archive something with a resource fork (like a Carbon app designed to run on 9). However, if you are archiving data files that are designed to work on both Mac and PC systems, you can use it with no problems.

Rule of thumb is: Zip files using DropZip are still your best bet for PC users (without using the terminal, that is). DMG files are your best bet for Mac users, since you get very comparable compression at higher performance, retaining a lot more information than SIT files do (and the checksum verification is a HUGE bonus). DiskUtility can create DMG files from folders for you.
 
Krevinek,

Are you talking about the same DiskUtility that comes bundled with OSX? Can you tell me how you use that to create .dmg files? It looks like a disk repair sort of program to me.

Ron
 
It is Disk Copy and Harddisk Utility combined into one. Look at Disk Utility's Help, it's quite good. And just for fun: You can just go to Disk Utility, choose 'Images' in the menu, choose 'New' and then 'New Image from Folder' or something (got it in German myself...).

I'd say Panther's .zip-feature is 'good enough' for files, i.e. graphics data, Word files etc. that you send to (and receive from) colleagues, customers, friends etc. If you have to send something that has Mac metadata, I'd also use .dmg - unless you can afford StuffIt Deluxe, which is quite easy to use and good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top