This seems to be more complicated than it needs to be.
I've solved the problem in the past by uploading the folder to a Linux server and doing the zipping there but here's a method for avoiding that.
The Create Archive tool in the Finder is apparently different than the zip command in Terminal (Unix command line)
So create your folder, say test_zip (I'll assume this is on the Desktop). Copy the files you wish to send into it.
Now in Terminal type cd Desktop, (
hit return) then ls (that's lower case L)
hit return.
You'll get a listing of the files and folders on the Desktop. Type cd test_zip
(hit return) then type ls -a (shows hidden files) (
hit return).
If you see any files starting with ._ you can remove them by typing...
rm ._*.* (
hit return)
Typically there will be a .DS_Store file in there
There's an automatic way to do all this using Blue Harvest
http://www.zeroonetwenty.com/blueharvest/
There's a pane in there with a Cleaner Function (See the tab). If you drag your folder onto the arrow it will "cleanse" the folder of the ._ files.
You're not done yet though, you still need to zip the file.
Move back up one level to the Desktop (type cd ..
return)
Then type zip -r test_zip test_zip (
hit return)
and you'll end up with a nice clean zipped archive named test_zip.zip.
Whew! There's gotta be an easier way. But this is actually pretty simple once you understand it.
I have tested this and once I unzip the test_zip.zip archive on the web server it is indeed clean of all the junk.
