Every Macintosh file can have two parts: a data fork and a resource fork.
Resource fork is the part editable using the ‘Resedit’ utility.
The resource fork is a great invention and Macintosh programs takes great advantage of using it.
Web server insthed doesn’t use the resource fork of files.
You can save lot of disk space using files with the resource fork removed, on web server, for your web pages.
Saved space can easily be more of the 50 % of the total space your web pages take without removing the resource fork.
Features
Resource Remover is a little utility which does a great job for every one involved in designing web pages.
After your web site pages are realized make a copy of them and remove the resource fork from the copy, than put these files (with the resource fork removed) on the web server.
You will save lot of disk space on the web server.
Removing the resource fork is in same case not an option but a necessity.
For example on my Europe web server I can send the content of my web pages zip-compressed to save time , the server provides to un-zip the files.
If the file has the resource fork, the pages are not correctly displayed because the unix based server is confused about using double-fork Mac files.
This example shows that removing resource fork is not only suggested but necessary.
Removing the resource fork the file becomes a plain data file, which seems to make unix system more happy.
If youuse or have a Mac based server, it will handle Mac file very well, but using Resource Remover you can save a lot of disk space on your Mac server.
These is valid both for text files, gif files and any other file kind ‘served’ via a web connection.
Getting Started
Resource Remover is very simple to use.
You can use it as a drag-and-drop application, simply select all the files you like to ‘process’ and drag them on the icon of Resource Remover.
The program will ‘process’ the files removing the resource fork of every file automatically.
The process of removing the resource fork is very fast.
Removing a resource fork from a file delete completely the resource fork of it.
If you apply this on the wrong file you can damage the file!
Be sure to drag-and-drop only the right files on Resource Remover.
For this purpose Resource Remover provide function such as an optional warning dialog to request confirmation before starting to process the files.
Using Resource Remover can really result in a disaster if you don’t know what you are doing.
If you are a beginner computer user is better for you not to use Resource Remover.
If you know what it means deleting resource from files and you are sure you won’t drag your preferred word processor application icon on the Resource Remover icon, you can use Resource Remover.
Resource Remover can be used also as a normal application.
It can be launched from the finder and it is possible to open files from the file menu and process them.
When a file is opened it is processed automatically and the resource fork removed.
Preferences
Selecting Preference from the edit menu you can set some preferences.
Preferences are saved on disk and you will find them correctly settled also after a restart of your Mac.
Preferences are:
• Use Warning dialog before processing files
This raise the safety level of Resource Remover
Using this option, every time you ‘Open’ a file from the application or drag files on Resource Remover, the program will ask you to confirm.
The warning dialog uses as default the OK button to make this option more usable.
• Display splash dialog at start up
Using this feature you can enable/disable the splash dialog at start-up
• Quit after a drop
Using this feature you can use Resource Remover as a true drag-and-drop application.
After dragging files on the Resource Remover icon, the program does its job than quit.
Putting Resource Remover on the desktop you use it simply dragging files on them.
You are not requested at all to use Resource Remover menu or dialogs.
At any moment to change the preference setting launch Resource Remover directly clicking on its icon, it will ‘stay’ also if the ‘Quit after a drop’ option is on.
Suggestion
- Use a folder for your ‘working files’.
These files are the files you realize using your preferred web editor and it needs both the data and the resource fork of these files to work properly.
- Use another separate folder for the ‘Resource free’ version of these files.
When you work with your web editor use always the ‘working files’
Then manually or better using a backup program (you can also use an apple-script) backup files from the ‘working files’ folder to the ‘Resource free’ folder.
Then open the ‘Resource free’ folder, choose ‘Select All’ or just press command-A and drag-and-drop the files on the Resource Remover icon.
To increase safety:
I know it could be a little boring, but I suggest using the ‘Warning Dialog’ option, also if you are a power user.
Dragging a multiple selection of files on Resource Remover requires only one return key press to confirm and can avoid you to destroy important data.
The mistake I’m telling, is not a mistake due to ignorance, but a mistake regarding our human condition, you know after hours of repetitive work also a power user can fail...
Shareware
In case you don’t know what is shareware…
Think at shareware as the most direct distribution method, directly from the producer to the user, avoiding distribution costs.
Shareware means freedom of action for developers and very good software with very good service at low prices for users.
The shareware community on the Macintosh side is very strong, both from the developers side and from the users side.
Developers work hard to provide state of the art shareware program and users respect their work.
This doesn't happen on every platform.
Also this make great the Mac, its users.
Registering
If you like Resource Remover and use it, please register.
Shareware registration for Resource Remover is:
Single User License...............US$ 9
Site License.............................US$ 120
World Wide License...............US$ 400
To register you can use Kagi Shareware
Kagi Shareware
To Pay via Kagi use the included 'Register' program.
'Kagi' is the major shareware registration service at the moment and I think you already know it because Kagi Service is used from a lot of shareware authors.
By the way if you don't know it yet this is a brief explanation of how Kagi service works:
Kagi Service is a company located in the U.S.A. specialized in collecting shareware fee and sending them to authors.
Using Kagi service you can select the payment method you prefer from :
Cash, Check, Invoice, VISA, Mastercard, American Express, First Virtual.
Payment are handled via:
normal mail, email, fax, (free USA phone number coming soon).
(Provided card number is automatically encrypted ).
To use the Kagi service use the register program, fill in the data and save the form obtained.
You can send the form via the net or print it and send it via ordinary mail or via fax.
Note: Using Kagi Service do not request additional payment from the users. Shareware fee is the same. (The author pay Kagi the service)
After Kagi receive your payment the author is informed by Kagi within few hours and you will receive your personal registration directly from the author.
Internet
Resource Remover Web Page
Roberto Panetta maintains the 'Tension Software Shareware Page' at this address:
http://www.kagi.com/panetta (USA)
http://www.mclink.it/personal/MC5230 (Europe)
From Tension Software Shareware Page you can read information about the last version of Resource Remover (and other SW by the same author ) and download it.
Contacting the author
To contact Roberto Panetta send mail to:
panetta@kagi.com
Legal Note
Copyright
Resource Remover is copyright Roberto Panetta. All rights reserved.
No modification of the program and of the documentation included is permitted.
Warranty
Resource Remover is supplied 'as is'. The author hereby disclaims all warranties related to this software, whether expressed or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
The author will not be liable for any special, incidental, consequential, indirect or similar damages due to loss of data or any other reason, or for any claim by any other part, even if the author, or an agent of then author as been advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event shall author' liability for any damages ever exceed the price paid for the license to use the software, regardless of the form of the claim. The person using the software bears all risks as to the quality and performance of the software.
Distribution
This software can be distributed in any 'shareware' form the distributor likes, such as CDs, floppies or via network, as long as the package has all the file of the original package included and unmodified.
If you are a shareware distributor and you distribute my software I like to know that.
Inclusion in commercial packages are prohibited without previous authorization.
