From: jimmys@bonnie.ics.uci.edu (Jimmy Shaw)
Subject: Re: AutoArc (Looks like Staker for GS)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Reply-To: jimmys@ics.uci.edu (Jimmy Shaw)
Organization: Univ. of Calif., Irvine, Info. & Computer Sci. Dept.
Date: 14 Sep 92 07:53:02 GMT

In article <1992Sep14.064214.13215@klaava.Helsinki.FI> cust_ts@klaava.Helsinki.FI (Tero Sand) writes:
>In article <1992Sep13.195015.1@acad3.alaska.edu> fsemm@acad3.alaska.edu (Edward M. Moore) writes:
>>In A+/Incider, on page 60 (In the back with all the little companies), in the
>>corner there is an add by Econ Technologies for a product called AutoArc, for
>>the IIgs. Basically, the add describes autoarc as a finder extention and desk
>>acessory that compresses + expands applications + documents on the fly.  I'd
>>like to know why none of this has been mentioned on the net, assuming that
>>there really is such a product.......  With all the people wanting something
>>like Auto-Doubler......
>>
>
>I second this. I'd also like to know how much it costs.
>
>>
>>--
>>=============================================================================
>>Edward M. Moore     |  Internet:  FSEMM@acad3.alaska.edu or FSEMM@Alaska.bitnet
>>Box 900316          |  Bitnet:    FSEMM@Alaska
>>Univeristy of Alaska|  IRC:	  Imana
>>Fairbanks, AK, 99775|  Telephone: (907) 474-7537
>>=============================================================================
>
>
>--
>-Tero Sand
>  EMail: cust_ts@cc.helsinki.fi     Snail mail: Auroran Sairaala os. 6-1
>  (if that doesn't work, try                    Nordenskioldinkatu 20
>   cust_ts@kruuna.helsinki.fi)                  00250 Helsinki 25, Finland

This is the info/flyer that I got from Econ Technologies:

 PRESS RELEASE

 Coming Soon!!!

 AutoArc(tm) - The transparent file compression utility for the Apple IIgs.

 AutoArc works in conjunction with Apple's system software 6.0 to provide
 an automatic and seamless method to store data files and applications in
 compressed format. Compressed files and applications can be decompressed
 'on-the-fly' when you are ready to use them. Utilizing state-of-the-art
 compression techniques, AutoArc achieves an average 50% reduction ratio
 which means disk storage can effectively be doubled!

 The AutoArc package consists of four components: a system INIT, a new
 desk accessory, a classic desk accessory and a Finder(tm) extension.
 These four components ensure that compressed data is accessible from
 within virtually all GSOS applications. Applications and/or data files
 can be 'manually' compressed/decompressed within the Finder simply by
 selecting the file's icon and choosing 'Compress' or 'Decompress' from
 the menu bar. Compressed applications and documents can also be launched
 by double clicking their icon, just as you would launch uncompressed
 files.

 While AutoArc's compression/decompression on-the-fly capabilities are
 impressive, they don't end there. Any file that can be compressed can
 also be password protected and encrypted. This can prevent sensitive
 data from falling into the wrong hands or can simply keep unauthorized
 individuals from using applications or viewing documents. Best of all,
 AutoArc is completely compatible with the Universe Master (also available
 from Econ) backup file format so backup data can be automatically
 accessed within any application!

 AutoArc will be available from Econ in mid-September and will list for
 $59.95. It will also be available from dealers at a considerable
 savings. Projected dealer pricing is not available at this time.

---------

Okay, now I have a few reservation about this (and other disk-doubler
type software):

It seems to me that a lot of these programs (on the clones at least),
creates a big file on your hard drive, and each file that you creat
is written into this file (compressed), and fools the OS into thinking
it's got a lot more room.  I think an analogy would be creating a master
file on the HD using shrinkit gs, and each time a file is created, it is added
to the master file, so the master file would have tons and tons of subfiles.
(Like archiving an entire disk using the archive by file option.)
If something goes wrong, the only way to reconfigure is do reformat the
hd, I think a low-level format is needed on some dos machines.

Hopefully, AutoArc is smarter than that.  (side note: the price per meg
is so reasonable now, why not just get a bigger HD, and avoid the
possibly of trashing everything?)

Jimmy




--
Jimmy Shaw			 RamFAST, ZipGSX and 6.0... Apple II Forever!
jimmys@ics.uci.edu
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2