README.mac

                    mpack/munpack version 1.5 for mac

Mpack and munpack are utilities for encoding and decoding
(respectively) binary files in MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail
Extensions) format mail messages.  For compatibility with older forms
of transferring binary files, the munpack program can also decode
messages in split-uuencoded format.  The Macintosh version can also
decode messages in split-BinHex format.

The canonical FTP site for this software is ftp.andrew.cmu.edu:pub/mpack/
Binaries are no longer provided. The pc, os2, amiga and archimedes ports
have been removed. The mac version probably doesn't compile anymore, but
is still included (MacOS X users can use the unix version...)

This MIME implementation is intended to be as simple and portable as
possible.  For a slightly more sophisticated MIME implementation, see
the program MetaMail, available via anonymous FTP to
thumper.bellcore.com, in directory pub/nsb


Decoding MIME messages:

To decode a MIME message, first save it to a text file.  If possible,
save it with all headers included.  Mpack can decode some MIME files
when the headers are missing or incomplete, other files it cannot
decode without having the information in the headers.  In general,
messages which have a statement at the beginning that they are in MIME
format can be decoded without the headers.  Messages which have been
split into multiple parts generally require all headers in order to be
reassembled and decoded.

Some LAN-based mail systems and some mail providers (including America
Online, as of the writing of this document) place the mail headers at
the bottom of the message, instead of at the top of the message.  If
you are having problems decoding a MIME message on such a system, you
need to convert the mail back into the standard format by removing the
system's nonstandard headers and moving the standard Internet headers
to the top of the message (separated from the message body with a
blank line).

There must be exactly one message per file.  Mpack cannot deal with
multiple messages in a single file, to decode things correctly it must
know when one message ends and the next one begins.

The Macintosh version of mpack/munpack is a single standalone
application.  A text file may be decoded either by drag & drop, or by
choosing the "Decode Files..." item from the application's File menu.
Non-text files may be encoded either by drag & drop, or by choosing
the "Encode Files..." item from the application's File menu.

The Macintosh version of mpack/munpack supports the new MacMIME
standard (RFC 1740).  This allows cross-platform transport of
Macintosh files to any MIME-capable machine, and also preserves
Macintosh specific file attributes between two Macintoshes.  Mpack
will use MacMIME for any unrecognized Macintosh file, and regular MIME
for standard MIME types.

For more details and descriptions of the preferences, see the "Help
Using Mpack..." menu item in mpack which can be found under the help
menu in systems 7 and above, and under the apple menu in older
systems.

Reporting bugs:

Bugs and comments should be reported to mpack-bugs@andrew.cmu.edu.
When reporting bugs or other problems, please include the following
information:

  * The version number of Mpack
  * The platform (Unix, PC, OS/2, Mac, Amiga, Archimedes)
  * The EXACT output of any unsuccessful attempts.
  * If having a problem decoding, the first couple of lines
    of the input file.


Compilation:

Mpack was compiled with THINK C 6.0 with the 4-byte int option turned
on (and the ANSI-small library compiled with the 4-byte int option)
and prototype enforcement turned off.  Included with this distribution
should be the files "macproj.hqx" which is a BinHex4 version of the
THINK C 6.0 project file, and "macrsrc.hqx" which is a BinHex4 version
of the resources file.

Mpack checks for the existence of "Internet Config", and if it is
available, mpack uses it to translate MIME types to and from Macintosh
type/creator codes.  Included is the file "macICglue.hqx" which is a
BinHex4 version of Internet Config's MPW object file library.  This
needs to be linked with the application.

Using mpack:

See the "Help Using Mpack..." menu item in the application.


Acknowledgements:

Written by John G. Myers, jgm+@cmu.edu

The mac version was written by Christopher J. Newman, chrisn+@cmu.edu

Send all bug reports to mpack-bugs@andrew.cmu.edu 

Thanks to Nathaniel Borenstein for testing early versions of mpack and
for making many helpful suggestions.


PGP signature:

The mpack 1.6 distribution is not pgp signed.

Legalese:

(C) Copyright 1993,1994 by Carnegie Mellon University
All Rights Reserved.

Permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, and sell this software
and its documentation for any purpose is hereby granted without fee,
provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies and that
both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in
supporting documentation, and that the name of Carnegie Mellon
University not be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to
distribution of the software without specific, written prior
permission.  Carnegie Mellon University makes no representations about
the suitability of this software for any purpose.  It is provided "as
is" without express or implied warranty.

CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO
THIS SOFTWARE, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
AND FITNESS, IN NO EVENT SHALL CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY BE LIABLE
FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES
WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN
AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS
SOFTWARE.

Portions of this software are derived from code written by Bell
Communications Research, Inc. (Bellcore) and by RSA Data Security,
Inc. and bear similar copyrights and disclaimers of warranty.