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What is ZipIt?
ZipIt is a Macintosh program that compresses and uncompresses files in the “zip format.” The zip format is popular on the IBM and on other platforms, such as Unix. You can tell if a file is in zip format simply by examining its name: if it ends in '.zip', it is a zip file. (Note that if it ends in
“.Z'”or “.gz”, it is NOT a zip file. The former belongs to a program called Compress, and the latter to a program called GZip.)
The zip format is most useful when compressing files destined for another computer platform, such as the IBM, or for uncompressing zip files received from other platforms. ZipIt can create zip archives intended solely for the Macintosh, but the zip format is not a standard compression format on the Mac.
How do I zip and unzip?
(Note: A zip 'archive' is a file that ends in '.zip'. It is called an archive to distinguish it from the multiple compressed files that it may contain.)
To unzip an archive:
a) Double-click ZipIt.
b) Choose Open from the file menu. Open the zip archive (file ending in '.zip')
c) Choose Select All from the Edit menu
d) Choose Extract from the zip menu
e) Click Save
To zip files and create an archive:
a) Double-click ZipIt.
b) If an Untitled window did not appear, choose New from the File menu.
c) Choose Add from the Zip menu
d) Select the file you want to add. Click Add. Repeat until you have
selected all the files you want to zip. Then click Done.
e) Choose Save from the File menu.
ZipIt won’t open my file. The filename ends in “.Z” or “.gz”
ZipIt can only expand or create zip files - i.e., files that end in '.zip'. Files that end in '.Z' or '.gz', or any other extension for that matter, are probably not zip files.
In order to expand a “.Z'” file, you will need a program called MacCompress. To expand files that end in “.gz”, you will need MacGZip. Both of these programs are available from standard Macintosh archives, including Info-Mac at <ftp://mirrors.aol.com/pub/info-mac/cmp/>.
ZipIt won’t open my file. The filename ends in “.zip”.
The most common problems with zip archives occur during file transfer. If you want to send a zip archive (ie, any file created by ZipIt) then your
terminal software should be set to send in Binary, but not MacBinary mode. In ZTerm, this can be achieved by choosing Binary from the Transfer Convert submenu in the File menu. Similarly, when receiving a zip archive (ie, a file that ends in '.zip', created by PKZip or some similar program,
including ZipIt) you should be in either Binary or MacBinary mode, but not text mode.
Why can’t I use the files I just unzipped?
After you unzip files from an archive, you may not be able to simply double-click them to open them. If this happens, then you need to open them from within the application that you will use to view them. For instance, if you have just unzipped a text file, then start up your word processor by double-clicking it. Then, choose Open from the File menu. Navigate to the file that you have just unzipped (not the “.zip” file, but whatever came out after you used ZipIt), and click Open.
If the file is not a text file, you may have more difficulty opening it. If it is an application designed for another computer such as the IBM, you will probably not be able to use it at all.
If your application is reporting that the file is corrupted, then chances are that the problem has to do with linefeeds. Go back to ZipIt, and switch the setting of the square in the LF column, and unzip the file again. This should make some difference.
Why can’t I encrypt or decrypt files?
You need to register first. As of version 1.3.7, all registered copies of ZipIt are able to use encryption.
Can I include ZipIt on my shareware collection on CD-ROM or disk?
Permission is expressly granted to include a standard, unregistered version on any CD-ROM, including shareware compilations, and CD-ROMs accompanying books, provided that only a nominal compilation or media fee is charged, in addition to any fee for the accompanying book.
If you need written permission, please mail me a permission form. I do not have a fax number.
What is my SoftLock ID?
Your SoftLock ID is an eight-digit number. You can find it on the registration screen of ZipIt - that is, on the first screen that appears when you double-click on ZipIt, not including the screen that asks you to personalize your copy. (If the first screen that appears is an Untitled window, then you are already registered and do not need to register again.) Otherwise, your SoftLock ID will be on the right side of the window, along with instructions for how to use it. Your SoftLock ID also appears on the screen that shows up after you click “Register...”
I received a password, but it doesn’t work.
o Write down your SoftLock ID.
o Is the number you wrote down above different from the number that you used when you originally registered? If so, see “Why does my password not work anymore?”
o Make sure you're typing your name exactly as it was given to you originally. Your password is based on your name, so make sure you're not including any extra initials or modifying your name in any other way.
o Still not working? Try deleting the file ZipIt Prefs from the Preferences Folder of your System
Folder. Again, if you then get a different SoftLock ID, see “Why does my password not work anymore?”
o Check the ZipIt home page for more details, at <http://www.awa.com/softlock/zipit/zipit.html>.
Why does my password not work anymore?
Under older versions of ZipIt, SoftLock passwords were based on a fingerprint of your hard disk. If you initialize your hard disk or switch to a different drive, or try to use ZipIt on a different computer, then your original SoftLock password will no longer work. In this case, the first thing you should do is delete the file ZipIt Prefs from the Preferences folder of your System Folder. Then, record your new SoftLock ID. If you send me your full name, the date that you registered using SoftLock, your original and new SoftLock ID, and the password you were originally given, I will send you a new password that will work with your new hard disk. It would also be helpful if you sent me your phone number and address; these will help both in contacting you and searching for your registration. The new password that you receive will not be dependent on your hard drive anymore.
Why is my zip archive unusable?
The most common problems with zip archives occur during file transfer. If you want to send a zip archive (ie, any file created by ZipIt) then your terminal software should be set to send in Binary, but not MacBinary mode. In ZTerm, this can be achieved by choosing Binary from the Transfer Convert submenu in the File menu. Similarly, when receiving a zip archive (ie, a file that ends in “.zip”, created by PKZip or some similar program, including ZipIt) you should be in either Binary or MacBinary mode, but not text mode.
If the receiver is able to open the zip archive and unzip files, but the files that come out are corrupted, probably the problem has to do with ZipIt adding linefeeds. Try zipping the files again, but this time, make sure that the boxes in the LF column are hollow for each of the files you are zipping.
Can you give me a sample AppleScript to run ZipIt?
See the section entitled “Scripting ZipIt.”
How do I create or unzip a multi-segment archive?
In order to create a multi-segment archive:
1. Create the archive as usual, by adding files.
2. Choose Set Segment Size from the Zip menu and set the segment size to the
appropriate size.
3. Choose Save from the File menu.
4. ZipIt will tell you to insert new segments when necessary.
IMPORTANT: In order to maintain compatibility with PKUnzip, each segment
must have the same filename.
One other thing you should note: PKUnzip may require that each disk be named PKBACK# XXX, where XXX is the number of the disk, starting at 001.
In order to unzip a multi-segment archive, simply open the last segment in ZipIt and proceed as usual. ZipIt will ask you for the intermediate segments when necessary.
What if my question is not here?
Check the ZipIt home page at <http://www.awa.com/softlock/zipit/zipit.html>, or contact me directly.
