A drag and drop utility for managing disk images.

Version 1.4.2 - 15 Jul 95

Description

ShrinkWrap(TM) was created for four basic purposes:

1. To create DiskCopy(TM) disk images quickly and efficiently:

Using ShrinkWrap(TM), you can create DiskCopy(TM) disk images by simply dragging and dropping your floppy disk icons onto the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon. In Batch Floppy Mode, you can continue to feed in floppy disks until your entire archive has been converted into image files without ever needing to touch the mouse or keyboard.

To convert your DiskCopy(TM) image back to floppies, just select the image files, hold down the Command key and drag the icons onto the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon. You will be prompted to insert a disk as each image is written back to floppy disk. In Batch Floppy Mode, multiple copies of each image file may be made. Just select Stop when you've made enough copies of each image.

2. To provide a convenient and reliable means of mounting multiple disk images on the desktop:

Like Apple's MountImage(TM) control panel, ShrinkWrap(TM) will mount image files on the desktop that to the system will appear identical to the original floppy disks. However, since ShrinkWrap(TM) is an application, it will never cause INIT conflicts and will never require any memory until it's actually run. To mount image files, simply drag and drop the image file icons onto the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon. Image files can even be mounted as unlocked disks by holding down the Shift key during launch.

3. To seamlessly handle image files in their archived form:

ShrinkWrap(TM) will automatically compress and decompress archived image files on the fly with Aladdin's StuffIt Engine(TM). Now that the StuffIt Engine(TM) has been released as shareware in the DropStuff(TM) with Expander Enhancer package, you don't even have to own StuffIt Deluxe(TM) to take advantage of these convenient compression features.

4. To provide a freely distributable alternative to Apple's DiskCopy(TM), DART(TM) and MountImage(TM):

DART(TM) and MountImage(TM) cannot yet legally be licensed for redistribution. Apple Computer, Inc. is working to create a license, but until that time, you may not legally redistribute it once you receive a copy from an authorized Apple source. DiskCopy(TM) is available for licensing, but at an often prohibitive cost of $5000 per year.

Installation

Install ShrinkWrap(TM) by decompressing the StuffIt(TM) archive and dragging the ShrinkWrap(TM) application to a convenient location on your hard drive. You may need to rebuild your desktop if ShrinkWrap(TM) will not initially accept drag and drop files. Ideally, you will already have the StuffIt Engine(TM) installed in your Extensions folder. If not, you should obtain Aladdin's StuffIt Deluxe(TM) or DropStuff(TM) with Expander Enhancer and install the software.

System Requirements

ShrinkWrap(TM) is a System 7-only application. It is AppleEvent aware, 32-bit clean, Power Macintosh, AV, '040 cache and virtual memory compatible. Although a Macintosh SE or better is required for full functionality, the Mac Plus can still use ShrinkWrap(TM) to mount, verify and convert disk image files.

Supported Image File Formats:

Mount Volume
Locked Unlocked Create Write Convert Verify Image File Format
* * * * * * ShrinkWrap(TM)
* * * * * * DiskCopy(TM) 4.2
* * * * DiskCopy(TM) 5.0d1 & 6.0
* * * * DART(TM) 1.5.1 - 1.5.3
* * * * DiskMaker(TM) 1.3
* * * * * PC Exchange(TM) Drive Containers ('hdrv)
* * * * * DropDisk 1.0b5 ('hdrv')
* * * * * DiskDup+
* * * * Norton Floppier(TM)
* * * * CPS FastCopy(TM) (uncompressed)
* * * * Microsoft® Disk Image Utility (.IMG)
* * * * Winimage (.IMA)

Introduction

Why do we need to deal with disk images?

Although there is some similarity between disks duplicated from disk images and disks copied by dragging icons, the results are not identical. Floppy disks created from image files are exact duplicates, including the exact icon placement, appearance of all windows, and the correct name of the disk. In addition, with disk images you have the added assurance that all the files have been duplicated correctly and completely. More importantly, Apple's Installer will not recognize disks copied by dragging icons, even if they appear identical in every way.

Some convenient uses for disk images:

1. Backing up your original floppy disks to removable media:

A Magneto-Optical, Iomega(TM), Bernoulli®, SyQuest(TM) or CD-R drive can serve as an excellent means to back up your software. When disk image files are stored in compressed form, they are space efficient but still easily accessible with ShrinkWrap(TM). Just drag the compressed image onto the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon and the file will be uncompressed and immediately mounted on the desktop.

2. Installing Apple's System Updates and System Software Extensions:

Since most of Apple's System Software, System Updates and System Extensions (CD-ROM Setup, Network System Installer, printer drivers, etc.) are distributed online in image file format, it's convenient to be able to mount the images and run the Installer without ever having to copy the images back to floppy disk.

3. Distributing multiple disk images on floppies:

Using ShrinkWrap(TM) and the StuffIt Engine(TM), you can achieve adequate compression to store three or more 800K disk images on a 1.44 MB HD floppy.

4. Mounting floppies on Macs without a SuperDrive(TM):

For Macs not equipped with a SuperDrive(TM), ShrinkWrap(TM) provides a cost-effective and convenient means of accessing data stored on floppy disks.

5. Creating "instant" RAM disks:

Just drag a folder onto ShrinkWrap(TM) and a new RAM disk will be created with the contents of that folder. You don't even need to reboot. When you're done, just drag the mounted image to the trash.

6. Distributing software collections and archives on CD-ROM:

Provide a convenient and economical means for your customers to obtain copies of their software on floppy media even if your product is now being distributed exclusively on CD-ROM. With ShrinkWrap(TM)'s extensive AppleScript support, you can even offer users the ability to create floppies directly from your product's installer.

Using ShrinkWrap(TM)

New Image:

To create and mount a new blank image file from within the ShrinkWrap(TM) application:

1. Choose "New Image" from the File menu.

Mount Image File:

DiskCopy(TM), DART(TM), DiskMaker(TM), DiskDup+, DropDisk, Norton Floppier(TM) , MacTools FastCopy(TM) (uncompressed), Microsoft® Disk Image Utility, Winimage and ShrinkWrap(TM) image files can be mounted by dragging their icons onto the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon:

1. In the Finder, select one or more image files that you want mounted.
2. Drag them over the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon until it is highlighted.
3. Let go of the mouse/trackball button.

ShrinkWrap(TM) will open and you'll see a progress box. When everything is mounted, ShrinkWrap(TM) automatically quits.

>> Note: When mounting DiskCopy(TM) (uncompressed), DiskDup+, DropDisk and ShrinkWrap(TM) disk images via drag and drop, you can mount the image files as an unlocked disks by holding down the Shift key as ShrinkWrap(TM) launches. <<

>> Note: Image files can be mounted only if they are located on local Macintosh disks or AppleShare(TM) servers. If you attempt to mount an image file that is on a PC disk or mounted image, you may receive an error. <<

If you prefer a "manual" way to mount image files:

1. Double click the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon to open the application.
2. Choose the "Mount Image..." command from the File menu.
3. Select the desired image file to mount in the standard file dialog.
4. Check the Mount as Unlocked Disk option if you desire read/write access to the mounted image file.

Mount Folder:

Folders can be mounted as images in the Finder by dragging one or more folder icons onto the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon:

1. In the Finder, select one or more folders that you want mounted.
2. Drag them over the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon until it is highlighted.
3. Let go of the mouse/trackball button.

ShrinkWrap(TM) will open and you'll see a series of progress boxes. When each new image has been mounted and the contents of each folder have been copied, ShrinkWrap(TM) automatically quits.

To create and mount an image with the contents of a folder from within the ShrinkWrap(TM) application:

1. Choose "Mount Folder..." from the File menu.
2. Select a source folder using the standard file dialog.

>> Note: If you select a folder that is too large for the new image media type that you've selected in Preferences, a "Destination disk is full" error will result and the new mounted image will be empty. <<

Unmount Image:

Image files can be unmounted in the Finder by dragging one or more mounted image file icons to the Trash.

To unmount image files from within the ShrinkWrap(TM) application:

1. Choose "Unmount Image..." from the File menu.
2. Select the disk image volume to unmount using the standard file dialog.

>> Caution: Do NOT eject a mounted image file. It is very difficult to "reinsert" an ejected disk image file when the system requests it later. <<

>> Note: If this happens to you, press Command-. to cancel the reinsert requests. <<

Create Image from Disk:

Image files can be made of floppy disks or mounted images by dragging their icons onto the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon:

1. In the Finder, select one or more disks that you want copied.
2. Drag them over the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon until it is highlighted.
3. Let go of the mouse/trackball button.

ShrinkWrap(TM) will open and you'll see a progress box. When all the disks have been read and image files saved to the destination folder, ShrinkWrap(TM) automatically quits.

If Batch Floppy Mode was enabled in the Preferences dialog, you will be prompted to enter another floppy disk when the first copy is complete. Press Stop when you wish to create no more image files.

To create image files from within the ShrinkWrap(TM) application:

1. Choose the "Create Image from Disk..." command from the File menu.
2. Select the disk to copy using the standard file dialog.

Write Image to Disk:

Image files can be copied back to floppy disk by dragging their icons onto the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon while holding down the Command key:

1. In the Finder, select one or more image files that you want copied to disk.
2. Drag them over the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon until it is highlighted.
3. While holding down the Command key, let go of the mouse/trackball button.

ShrinkWrap(TM) will open and you'll see a progress box. At this point you may release the Command key. When each disk image has been read and checksums verified, you will be prompted to insert a unlocked destination disk into any floppy drive.

>> Caution: The unlocked floppy disk that you insert will be totally overwritten with the contents of the image file. For an additional layer of protection, enable the option to confirm overwriting the destination disk in Preferences. <<

If Batch Floppy Mode was enabled in the Preferences dialog, you will be prompted to enter another floppy disk when the first copy is complete. Press Stop when you wish to make no more copies and ShrinkWrap(TM) will go on to the next image file in the queue.

To write image files to disk from within the ShrinkWrap(TM) application:

1. Choose the "Write Image to Disk..." command from the File menu.
2. Select the image file to copy using the standard file dialog.

Duplicate Disk:

Floppy disks or mounted images can be duplicated by dragging their icons onto the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon while holding down the Command key:

1. In the Finder, select one or more disks that you wish to duplicate.
2. Drag them over the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon until it is highlighted.
3. While holding down the Command key, let go of the mouse/trackball button.

ShrinkWrap(TM) will open and you'll see a progress box. At this point you may release the Command key. When each disk has been read and checksums calculated, it will be ejected and you will be prompted to insert a unlocked destination disk into any floppy drive.

To duplicate disks from within the ShrinkWrap(TM) application:

1. Choose the "Duplicate Disk..." command from the File menu.
2. Select the floppy disk volume to duplicate using the standard file dialog.

Convert Image:

DiskCopy(TM), DART(TM), DiskMaker(TM), DiskDup+, DropDisk, Norton Floppier(TM) , MacTools FastCopy(TM) (uncompressed), Microsoft® Disk Image Utility, Winimage and ShrinkWrap(TM) image files can be converted to the image format and archive type specified in the Preference dialog by dragging their icons onto the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon while holding down the Control key:

1. In the Finder, select one or more image files that you want to convert.
2. Drag them over the ShrinkWrap(TM) icon until it is highlighted.
3. While holding down the Control key, let go of the mouse/trackball button.

ShrinkWrap(TM) will open and you'll see a progress box. At this point you may release the Control key. When each disk image has been converted and checksums verified, ShrinkWrap(TM) will automatically quit.

To convert image files from within the ShrinkWrap(TM) application:

1. Choose the "Convert Image..." command from the File menu.
2. Select the image file to convert using the standard file dialog.

Verify Image:

To verify image files:

1. Choose "Verify Image File..." from the File menu.
2. Select the image file to verify using the standard file dialog.

>> Note: If the original image file format contained checksums and these match the calculated values, the message "Checksums matched" will be displayed at the top of the verification dialog. <<

Verify Disk:

To verify a floppy disk or mounted image:

1. Choose "Verify Disk..." from the File menu.
2. Select the disk to verify using the standard file dialog.

Preferences:

1. The group of four "Destination:" radio buttons indicate where the image files and StuffIt(TM) archives created by ShrinkWrap(TM) should be stored. Selecting "Same as ShrinkWrap(TM)" will use the folder where the running ShrinkWrap(TM) application currently resides. Selecting "Same as original" will use the folder (or desktop) that contains the original image file or disk. Selecting "Prompt for destination" will prompt you for a destination with a standard file dialog at runtime. Finally, selecting "Use:" will allow you to specify a folder of your choice. Note that you should always choose your destination folder to be located on an unlocked volume with plenty of free disk space.

2. The "Select" button allows you to chose a specific folder as the destination folder. If ShrinkWrap(TM) for some reason can't find this folder on startup, it will default to the startup volume desktop folder.

3. Checking the "Automatically decode and expand archives" check box will cause any archive format currently supported by the StuffIt Engine(TM) (.hqx, .uu, .bin, .sit, .sea, .cpt, .pkg, .zip, .arc, .gz, and .Z) to be automatically expanded to locate image files.

4. Checking the "Delete archive after expanding" check box deletes the archive from the disk after it has been expanded into its original image file. Use this feature carefully.

5. Checking the "Delete expanded files after processing" check box deletes all decoded and/or expanded files and folders from the original archive after they are no longer needed by ShrinkWrap(TM). This will automatically clean up the transitional folders and files that are created as you mount, write, convert or verify compressed image archives, freeing up space on your hard drive and keeping your workspace uncluttered.

>> Caution: Selecting options to delete the original archive and all the expanded files will leave no copies remaining of your original images. Be sure your data is backed up or expendable. <<

6. Checking the "Automatically compress image files" check box will cause all image files created with ShrinkWrap(TM) to be automatically compressed into their own StuffIt(TM) archive.

7. Checking the "Delete original after compressing" check box deletes the original image file from the disk after it has been compressed into an archive.

8. Checking the "Encrypt archives with password" check box will encrypt all image files created with ShrinkWrap(TM) using a password of your choice or a randomly generated password. Make sure to remember your password! You will need it to expand any encrypted images in the archive.

9. Checking the "Make archives self-extracting" check box will create self-extracting archives that anyone can decompress, even without a StuffIt(TM) product.

10. The group of two "New image default media type:" radio buttons indicate what size of floppy disk image should be created for the "New Image" and "Mount Folder..." commands.

11. Selecting the "Create DiskCopy(TM) image files" check box will cause ShrinkWrap(TM) to create disk images with DiskCopy(TM)'s creator signature and the DiskCopy(TM) resource that lets you view checksums in the Finder's Get Info dialog. This may seem trivial, since the actual file format is unchanged, but DiskCopy(TM) rather arrogantly refuses to acknowledge the existence of image files created by other applications when you attempt to load them using the "Load Image File..." button or "Load Disk Image..." menu item. (Interestingly enough, DiskCopy(TM) will successfully load image files with other creator signatures if they are loaded via drag and drop.)

>> Note: If you intend to use DiskCopy(TM) to copy ShrinkWrap(TM) disk images back to floppies, be sure "Save as DiskCopy(TM) image files" is checked. <<

There are, however, advantages to saving a disk image with ShrinkWrap(TM)'s creator signature:

a. ShrinkWrap(TM) image files will be instantly mountable by just double-clicking the image file icon.
b. ShrinkWrap(TM) image files get a cool new icon with racing stripes in the upper-left hand corner.
c. DiskCopy(TM) image files will be stuck with a generic icon if a copy of DiskCopy(TM) is not located on the destination disk.
d. ShrinkWrap(TM) image files are about 4K smaller on a typical hard drive.

12. Checking the "Keep mounted images in RAM" check box will instruct the ShrinkWrap(TM) driver to load mounted images completely into RAM if there is enough free memory available.

Here is a quick review of the advantages of each method:

a. Mounting images into RAM:
- Images mounted in RAM are lightening fast (just like a RAM disk).
- Images mounted in RAM never require any free hard drive space.
- The original images are less susceptible to corruption if your computer crashes.

b. Mounting images directly from the hard drive or server:
- Each mounted image requires <1K of RAM.
- Mounting images occurs much faster, since the entire image file need not be immediately loaded into memory.
- The maximum number of mounted image files is not limited by available RAM.

13. Checking the "Verify mounted image checksums" check box will cause ShrinkWrap(TM) to verify the checksums of each image file prior to mounting it on the desktop. This provides a means of confirming the data integrity of the image file prior to it being mounted, although at a noticeable performance cost. If you mount images from a network or CD-ROM, the verification process can take several seconds.

14. Checking the "Verify tag checksums" check box will cause ShrinkWrap(TM) to verify checksums of the tag data, if it exists for an image. Tag data is the extra 12 bytes of "scavenger" information present on 400K and 800K Macintosh floppies. Since Apple no longer uses or supports tag data, it is no reflection of the actual integrity of your data. Additionally, DiskCopy(TM) will occasionally calculate a different tag checksum for 400K and 800K images than that generated by ShrinkWrap(TM) and DART(TM), causing the image to fail checksum verification and be rejected, despite the fact that the actual data is uncorrupted. Unchecking this option will allow those image files to be processed, despite the tag checksum discrepancy.

15. Checking the "Verify destination disk checksums" check box will provide an additional verification pass when copying image files to disk or conducting disk-to-disk copies to verify that checksums on the destination disk match the original. This verification pass is in addition to sector-by-sector verification already done by the driver.

16. Checking the "Confirm overwriting destination disk" check box will cause a confirmation dialog to be displayed each time you are about to overwrite a formatted floppy disk.

17. Checking the "Batch Floppy Mode" check box will allow you to efficiently conduct batch operations on large quantities of floppy disks. Just keep feeding in disks and ShrinkWrap(TM) will continue to create image files, duplicate a disk image or verify the disks.

Scripting Support:

1. ShrinkWrap(TM) supports a custom AppleEvent suite which gives you the ability to control and automate many of the functions within the application. The most common usage of these advanced capabilities is through scripting systems such as AppleScript(TM) or UserLand Frontier(TM). In order to facilitate your use of ShrinkWrap(TM) with scripting systems, ShrinkWrap(TM) includes an 'aete' resource which details the full complement of AppleEvents supported, as well as a gluefile for UserLand Frontier(TM) (courtesy of Sandro Menzel).

2. Events in the custom AppleEvent suite return a small integer as an error code when the command has been completed. This small integer is typically a standard OSErr. However, the following additional error codes have been added for support:

Code Description
---- -----------
-1 User has canceled the operation.
2002 Checksums do not match.
2003 StuffIt Engine(TM) is not present (or too old).

3. The "verify" AppleEvent will only display a dialog with the checksum values if the application is running in the foreground. So, if you want to see this dialog, make sure to activate ShrinkWrap(TM) from AppleScript(TM) before you send the verify command. A successful verification in the background just returns 0 (noErr).

Important Tips

Do you have enough available RAM?

1. ShrinkWrap(TM) versions 1.2 and later no longer use the MungeImage driver to mount image files. The new driver has two modes, RAM-based and file-based. Basically, when you select the option to "Keep mounted images in RAM" and there is enough free memory available, the driver mounts an image file by creating a RAM disk the size of the floppy, then copying the contents of the image file to the RAM disk. Consequently, to mount an image file in the RAM-based mode, you must always have as much free RAM as disk capacity you wish to mount. (Sorry! Virtual memory doesn't count.)

2. The system heap will expand when memory blocks are allocated to the ShrinkWrap(TM) driver to mount disk images in RAM. When you unmount disk images, the corresponding memory is freed. However, the system will not compact and resize the system heap until the free memory is required by another application. So don't be surprised if your system heap doesn't immediately shrink back to its original size.

Do you have enough free space on your startup disk?

1. When the "Keep mounted images in RAM" option is disabled, the driver mounts image files by mapping their blocks directly from the local hard drive or the network server. Unfortunately, there are only three image file types which can be directly mounted in this manner: 'dImg' (ShrinkWrap(TM) and DiskCopy(TM) 4.2), 'hdvr' (PC Exchange and DropDisk) and 'DDim' (DiskDup+). All other image file types need to be translated to a temporary scratch file which is stored within the invisible Temporary Items folder on your startup disk and then directly mounted with read-only access. Consequently, to mount these image file formats in the file-based mode, you must have as much free hard drive space as disk capacity you wish to mount.

2. If you should experience a crash when an image file is mounted, any scratch files used for temporary storage of the mounted image will be automatically recovered by the system to the "Rescued items" folder in your Trash. If an image file was mounted unlocked, it may contain checksums that have were never updated to reflect changes you made before the crash. To fix this, disable the "Verify mounted image checksums" option, mount the suspect image file, then drag the mounted volume onto ShrinkWrap(TM). A new image file will be created from the mounted volume that has the correctly calculated checksums.

RAM Doubler(TM):

Connectix RAM Doubler(TM) and ShrinkWrap(TM) will work fine together provided that there is enough real memory for the images to be mounted in RAM. When real memory gets sparse, most of the smart tricks used by RAM Doubler(TM) to increase memory won't work (re-allocating memory, compressing memory blocks, etc.) because there simply isn't any free memory to play with. RAM Doubler(TM) then falls back on standard virtual memory and the system will slow to a crawl.

Anti-Viral Utilities:

Some anti-viral utilities may consider ShrinkWrap(TM)'s activities to be "suspicious" in nature and will stop processing to warn you of some events. If this happens to you, I recommend switching to a less invasive anti-viral utility such as John Norstad's Disinfectant.

Background Compression Utilities:

ShrinkWrap(TM) usually can't mount image files that have been compressed with background compression utilities such as StuffIt SpaceSaver(TM), AutoDoubler(TM) or More Disk Space(TM) unless they are mounted as unlocked disks and kept in RAM.

MFS Disks:

ShrinkWrap(TM) is unable to create image files of Mac 400K disks due to restrictions on MFS disks introduced with System 7. All other features, however, are fully supported with disks of this type.

Old Macs:

Some older Macs (Mac 128K, 512K, 512KE & Plus) will be unable to create, verify or copy disk images with ShrinkWrap(TM) since their floppy disk drivers do not support the necessary control calls.

ShrinkWrap(TM) is Freeware

Freeware is copyrighted software freely distributed via the Internet, local bulletin board systems (BBS), commercial on-line services, user groups, and between friends. There is no charge for individual, non-commercial use.

For corporate site use or commercial distribution, ShrinkWrap(TM) must be licensed on an annual or per-unit basis. I also offer customized versions of ShrinkWrap(TM) for bundling with specific hardware or software products. Please contact me for licensing details and pricing.

Keep in mind that ShrinkWrap(TM) is copyrighted and that no one has the right to sell or alter it in any way without my written consent. I also will not be liable for any damages, including lost of data, lost profits, cost of cover or other special, incidental, consequential or indirect damages arising from the use of this program.

Contacting the Author

If you would like to obtain the latest version of ShrinkWrap(TM), suggest new features, or complain about a bug, just contact me at:

E-mail:
Internet: chad@halcyon.com (preferred)
America Online & eWorld: Magendanz

Address:
Chad Magendanz
15220 263rd Ave. SE
Issaquah, WA USA

Original file name: ShrinkWrap(TM) Read Me - converted on Tuesday, 1 February 2000, 23:21