Re: [MacPerl] CPAN

["Paul J. Schinder" <schinder@pjstoaster.pg.md.us>]

}OK, here is the scoop:
}
}Andreas and I have been trying to get his software to unpack .sit.hqx for
}proper integration into CPAN.  I just got word from Aladdin that no such
}software exists for UNIX that is compatible with the current Stuffit format
}(post-1.5.1).

I don't understand.  What's the problem?  Binhex is text, therefore keep it
in the native text format of the machine in question.  At most you need a
README saying "download these in ASCII mode".  Or is this more a concern
with verifying the contents of the *.hqx archive before putting it in CPAN?

}
}So what to do?
}
}There are two issues:
}1.)  The files need to be properly integrated into CPAN, which means, at
}this point, they should be .tar.gz files.

"Properly integrated into CPAN" means what?

}        a.)  In order to create a .tar.gz archive, a Mac user needs MacGzip
}and tar or suntar, all available on Info-Mac.
}        b.)  In order to USE a .tar.gz archive, a Mac user needs to use the
}above or Stuffit Expander (freeware) with Expander Enhancer (shareware).
}
}Now, if this were the only issue, it would probably be OK with everyone to
}do it this way.  However, there is also the second issue:
}
}2.)  In order to get properly integrated into CPAN, the files in the
}archive (the module and readme) need to be in UNIX linebreak format.  Then
}in order to use the files, the user had to put them back into Mac linebreak
}format.  This could be a pain.

Again, why must it necessarily be in Unix linebreak format?  The Binhex,
sure, but the encoded files inside can be Mac text files.  In practice, why
will anyone use a .sit.hqx unless they intend it to land on a Mac?

I'm afraid I just don't see the difficulty.  Maybe someone can explain in
more detail exactly what the problem is.

}
}
}My suggestion is to maybe upload two pieces: module.tar.gz and
}module.sit.hqx.  module.tar.gz would be in UNIX linebreak format and would
}be unpacked and integrated into CPAN, and module.sit.hqx would be left in
}the author's directory and would have Mac linebreaks.
}
}As you can see, there is no easy answer.  Anyone have any ideas?
}
}#========================================================================
}I think man invented the car by instinct.
}
}        --Jack Handey
}
}Chris Nandor                                              pudge@pobox.com
}PGP Key 0xB76E72AD                                      http://pudge.net/