************************ * FAQ directory README * FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions ************************ Files in this directory: faq1.txt the Frequently Asked Questions posting from faq2.txt comp.sys.apple2. A must-read for new users. binscii1.exe link to binscii.1.0.3.exe (text) binscii2.exe a different encoding of the above (text) shrinkit.exe link to shrinkit.3.3.exe.bsc (text) In order to effectively use these archives, you will need BINSCII and SHRINKIT. Binscii encodes and decodes binary files into an ASCII envelope. It is the standard way in which Apple ][ files are transmitted on the Internet and through comp.sys.apple2. Shrinkit is the standard archival system on the Apple ][. Many of the files stored here are archives containing a number of individual programs and files. Each of the files here ends with a suffix. Some of the common ones are: .BSC Binscii-encoded binary file (text) .BSQ Binscii-encoded Shrinkit archive file (text) .SHK Shrinkit archive (binary) .TXT Ascii text file (docs, for example) .EXE Text file to be EXECuted for a binary file Once you have Binscii downloaded in ProDOS 8, EXEC the file to obtain a system file you can run. Obtaining Shrinkit is a two-part process. First process the file through Binscii in order to obtain the a text file you can EXECute. Then, EXEC the file to decompress the self-extacting archive. If you can't get binscii1.exe to work, try binscii2.exe. GS users will also need SHRINKIT GS, in the apple2/gs/arch direcory. Just remember, HAVE FUN! -=Dan=- dmag@umich.edu P.S. check out misc/textfiles/help.me.txt if you want a real quick jump start on downloading stuff!