AutoArk review
By Chris Nelligan
Copyright (c) 1993 Apple Users' Group, Sydney
Republished from Applecations, a publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia.
AutoArk - The Integrated File Compression Utility
Overview
Everybody knows you never have enough disk space available, whether it is on your floppy disk or on your Hard Disk. In recent years file compression utilities have tackled this problem, the best known being ShrinkIt.
The biggest problem with a file compression utility is that once the file has been compressed, it must be decompressed before it can be used again. This is not a problem for archival backups, however for frequently used files it is simply not worth the effort to have to decompress the file before use and recompress it after use.
AutoArk solves this problem, it works behind the scenes by integrating itself into the operating system (System 6 is required).
Installing AutoArk
AutoArk is very easy to install by using the supplied installer. Like a lot of modern software the installation process includes personalising your copy with your name and organisation. AutoArk consists of a System Init, two new desk accessories and a series of finder extensions.
Using AutoArk from the Finder
Compressing and Expanding files
Select the file(s) or folder(s) to be processed and then select the option 'Compress' or 'Expand' from the Extras menu. AutoArk then displays a status window indicating the file being processed - a progress thermometer, number of bytes saved, and the number of files left to be handled.

Once a file is compressed the Finder shows it with the AutoArk icon and has the file description as 'AutoArk compressed', however the Standard File dialog box as shown by applications displays the original icon.
AutoArk allows you to select the type of compression to be used as different filetypes compress better using different methods.
Note: Double-clicking a compressed file from the Finder will first expand it and then launch the application the file belongs to.
Encrypting files from the Finder
AutoArk allows files to be password protected with the option of compression. This function works indentically to Compressing and Expanding files. AutoArk uses the password you provide to encrypt the data. The data can only be decrypted by providing the password once again when you need to access the file.

Archive Info
This option on the Extras menu is used to show the original file icon, filename, filetype, whether the file is encrypted, the original and compressed file sizes, the reduction percentage achieved, and the file creation and modified date.
Configure AutoArk
It is possible to configure AutoArk in the following ways :
1. Whether the Finder Extras are enabled or disabled
2. Whether AutoArk uses an interim file when compressing and expanding
3. Whether AutoArk verifies the data as it compresses or expands
4. Whether AutoArk displays progress reporting status windows
5. The Key equivalents for the Finder Extra menu options
6. Assign the compressor to be used for each kind of filetype

Accessing compressed files from within Applications
Once a file has been compressed you can forget about it. If the file compressed is an application, AutoArk will decompress it before launching it, when the application is quit AutoArk will recompress it automatically.
Applications will continue to display only the relevant compressed files in the standard file dialog boxes. Once selecting the file to be loaded, AutoArk kicks in and expands the file automatically asking for the password if the file is also encrypted.
When the application quits, all compressed files that were loaded are again automatically compressed for you.
Compressing and Expanding files from within Applications
AutoArk provides two desk accessories that are available from the Apple Menu. These being 'AA Compress File' and 'AA Expand File'. These functions use the standard file dialog box to allow you to select the file(s) to be compressed or expanded at any time.
Conclusions
I do not compress my applications, only my data files, and I use ShrinkIt for my archived backups (although this may change over time). AutoArk has easily made a home in my system, as I can now easily have those frequently used files compressed.
Sometimes when using AutoArk (v1.02) with The Manager (v1.0) and I have an expanded file open in an application, and I then switch back to the Finder, AutoArk would try to recompress it.
Every now and then AutoArk would also change the case of my filenames to totally uppercase, I found this really annoying (ie; 'My.Pic' would become 'MY.PIC').
After having used AutoArk for three weeks I have to honestly say that this application is great. I achieved more than 50% reduction on all the files I compressed, and I now use the encryption option on my more confidential data files. An accelarated GS does help and I give this utility 8 points out of 10.
As the manual states 'The beauty of AutoArk lies in the way it seamlessly integrates with the Finder and your Applications'. I must thank Econ Technologies, the publisher of this program, for providing this review copy.
Econ Technologies offered the club a special bulk buy price, unfortunetely the club can not take up this offer. However I am sure if you phone Econ directly on (407) 365-4209 and say who you are etc, they will give you a good price. The other alternative is to buy the package directly from the local Australian distributor, Two Series Software. Two Series have stocks available and their phone number is (02) 606-9343.

THIS CONTENT COPYRIGHT © 2007, APPLE MACINTOSH USERS' GROUP, SYDNEY
Permission has been obtained to make this material available on the Internet.

Permission is hereby granted for non-profit user groups to republish this content.
PLEASE CREDIT THE AUTHOR AND THE SOURCE: Applecations, publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia

THIS PAGE COPYRIGHT © 2007, ANDREW ROUGHAN