Thu, Jul 29, 2010
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Chapter 2
Sneaker Net
If your only means of moving files between computers is to manually carry floppy disks, Zip disks, CD-ROMs, or other removable media from one computer to another, you're connected to what's known as a sneaker net. The sneaker net is a very old (but very reliable) transport technology. On a sneaker net and networks in general, a cross-platform Mac needs to open and work with files of just about any format. So we look at tools you need to read disks, open files, or convert between formats that you're likely to encounter when working in a cross-platform environment.
Table 2-1. Macintosh Removable Media
Table 2-2. Reading PC Disks on a Mac
Table 2-3. Reading Mac Disks on a Windows PC
Table 2-4. Macintosh Anti-Virus Software
Table 2-5. Mac-PC File Name and Type Mapping
| Description |
| A Better Finder Creators and Types shareware lets you change the Creator and Type of multiple files all at once. |
| FileTyper, shareware by Daniel Azuma that lets you assign Creator and Type codes (and other resource information) |
| Mac Type/Creator Database, shareware databases including PC extension mappings from Ilan Szekely |
| MacOpener, Windows file extension mapping software from DataViz |
| NameCleaner from Sig Software analyzes file names for cross-platform suitability. |
| PC Migrator, a file extension mapping plug-in for the Windows PC MAC-LAN software from Miramar Systems |
| TypeRighter Suite, shareware from the Lightning Foundry, for changing Creator and Type codes |
Table 2-6. Mac File Conversion Software
| Description |
| Cross Platform file compatibility tool from Sig Software |
| MacLinkPlus, the de facto standard for Mac file conversion from DataViz |
Table 2-7. Mac Graphic Conversion Tools
| Description |
| DeBabelizer, commercial software from Equilibrium, converts graphics files and has scripting and automation features. |
| EPStoPICT for converting PostScript and Encapsulated PostScript files to PICT images |
| GhostScript freeware allows you to view and save PostScript files as PICT files. |
| GraphicConverter shareware from Lemke Software |
| Transverter Pro from TechPool Software for viewing and editing PostScript and PDF files |
Table 2-8. Mac Sound Conversion Tools
Table 2-9. Mac Movie Conversion Tools
Table 2-10. Common Compression and Archive Formats
| Platform |
File Type |
File Extension |
| Mac OS |
StuffIt archive |
.sit |
| MacBinary |
.bin |
| BinHex archive |
.hqx |
| Self-extracting archive |
.sea |
| Compact Pro |
.cpt |
| Windows 98/NT |
Zip |
.zip |
| Archive |
.arc |
| LHA archive |
.lzh, .lha, .lzs |
| Self-extracting archive |
.exe, .com, .x |
| UNIX |
UNIX compress |
.Z |
| Gzip |
.gz |
| Tape archive |
.tar |
Table 2-11. Mac File Compression Software Tools
| Description |
| General compression pointers to people, techniques, mailing lists, and FAQs |
| Mac compression and encoding utilities, compiled by Pure Mac |
| MacTar, freeware from Jim Strout for reading UNIX .tar archives |
| MindExpander freeware from MindVision Software |
| StuffIt Expander, StuffIt Deluxe, and other tools from Aladdin Systems |
| Suntar, freeware by Sauro and Gabriele Speranza for reading UNIX .tar and .bar archives. It will also read from .tar disks and tapes. |
Table 2-12. Additional Web Resources
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