🚀 go-pugleaf

> Yes, I once used DiskDoubler on my friend's Mac, and now I
> use More Disk Space, from ALYSIS Software.
> 
> In my opinion, More Disk Space works well because:
> 
>     1) With most compression utilities, compressed files
>       (both applications and documents) must be decompressed
>        when opened and accessed. This will make HD full of
>        fragmentation.

	Autodoubler decompresses into RAM so this is not an issue for it.
This is true of Stuffit SpaceSaver (from net reports.  I'm still waiting for my 
upgrade to verify this myself.)


>        On the other hand, More Disk Space never requires
>        compressed files to decompress when opened! It uses
>        a kind of "resourse compression", I heard.

	Autodoubler 2.0 can also do this.

>        Moreover, the files compressed by More Disk Space
>        can be accessed with superb speed, some of which
>        can be accessed with much less time than uncompressed!

	Only if the application is running from an old (i.e. slow)
hard disk or from a CD-ROM or floppy.  The faster (and newer) your hard
disk is the slower MDS will seem.  Launching an application takes X amount of 
time to read information from the disk and Y amount of time to do CPU chores 
like program initialization and screen drawing.  
Launching an MDS compressed application 
takes less time hitting the disk (because there are fewer K on the disk to hit) 
but more time doing CPU work decompressing.  A fast CPU (say a Quadra) running 
from a slow disk (say a floppy) will notice significant improvements on file 
launching but more realistic combinations like an LC launching off the internal 
hard drive or an SE launching off of anything won't see much, if any, 
improvement.


>        Of course, when the files are modified, they will
>        once decompressed; but if you check "recompress"
>        option, they will be recompressed after being edited.

	Applications do not need to be recompressed after running (since 
they're decompressed into memory) but documents do.

>     2) More Disk Space can create "transparent" compressed
>        application: if you check "make apps transparent"
>        option ON, compressed applications will work properly
>        on Macs without MDS!
> 
>     3) More Disk Space don't change compressed files' icons.

	A unique plus for MDS.

> 
>     4) You can do "finder copies without decompressing files"
>        if you check "auto decompress" option OFF. Of course,
>        you can do "finder copies with decompressing files
>        automatically" with the option ON (or using "Larger
>        copy to..." command from "MDS" menu appeard on Finder.

	Again so can Autodoubler (and perhaps SpaceSaver.  Maybe I'll know for 
sure someday.  Right now my upgrade seems to be in tight race with the next 
millenium for which arrives first.)

>     5) More Disk Space compress all kinds of files on your 
>        hard disks in the background.

	As can Autodoubler and SpaceSaver.

> 
> I think MDS is a powerful compression utility, if you
> use it properly.
> 
> Unfortunately, More Disk Space Version 1.2 will not work
> properly on System7.1!  I want to say ALISYS must upgrade
> MDS to the one compatible with System7.1 and Finder7.1.

	Has 2.0 been released?  If so is the upgrade free?  Postage and 
Handling? (If so how much?)  Or does it cost $$ ? (If so how much?)  Can anyone 
else verify that MDS 1.2 is incompatible with 7.1?  As I mentioned earlier the 
FAQ will likely eventually make a recommendation for one transparent 
compression product.  If Alysis doesn't release absolutely free (i.e. no 
postage and handling charges) updates to ensure compatibility with new Systems 
and hardware, this would make it very unlikely for MDS to be selected as that 
one product.  On the other hand if MDS 2.0 is either a free upgrade or was 
released prior to October 19th (the intro date of System 7.1 and the various 
hardware that requires it) then a reasonable upgrade fee would not be 
considered onerous.  Alternately I would consider a free upgrade to a 7.1 
compatible version 1.3 but a $$ upgrade to an improved version 2.0 to be 
reasonable.  I don't expect software companies to offer free upgrades to 
support new systems and hardware indefinitely.  However I do expect 
that companies will provide compatibility between their programs and all 
operating systems and hardware that ship while that program is being sold and
that this compatibility will be provided at NO charge to the users.

> 
> I hope the above info will satisfy you. Sorry for my 
> bad English.

	Don't bother apologizing.  Your English is considerably superior 
to my Japanese.


> 
> =====================================================
>  Matsubayashi Kohji of Tokura Lab., Osaka University
> 
>  E-mail: matubays@ics.osaka-u.ac.jp
> =====================================================


Elliotte Rusty Harold		Department of Mathematics
elharo@m.njit.edu		New Jersey Institute of Technology
erh0362@tesla.njit.edu		Newark, NJ 07102