*** PAK Documentation ***

File PAKer 1.0 - November 2, 1987
Copyright 1987 by Mark Riley
All rights reserved.

*** Information ***

PAK is a utility for combining and compressing several smaller files into
one large file. The PAKed file may then be uploaded to a BBS or another
computer. Transmission time is reduced because PAKed files are compressed.
Also, the receiving party does *not* require any special program to unPAK
the files - PAKed files unPAK themselves! Unlike other utilities of its
type, PAK imposes no restrictions on filenames. PAK's small size (under
5K) makes it handier than those written in high-level languages (PAK is
written in 68000 Assembly Language.)  PAK is simple to use, so have fun!

This program is ShareWare; it isn't free. If you like it (or use it) please
send a $10 contribution to the following address:

Mark Riley - Pak
P.O. Box 234
Simi Valley, CA 93062

Thank you! This contribution will help me to provide further low cost
utilities for the Amiga (I've already got several queued up.)

You may freely redistribute PAK in its original unaltered state. If you
have any questions or comments, I can be reached at the above address or
the following services:

BIX: mriley - PLINK: (SONIX)

*** PAKing Files ***

PAK is simple to use. You may want to install it into your "c:" directory
before you use it though.  This way it'll be there no matter which 
directory you move to. BTW, PAK works from the CLI only.

Usage: PAK master[.PAK] file [file...]

The first parameter is the pathname for the master file. This is followed
by one or more pathnames for the files you want to PAK together. Files are
compressed and added to the master file in the order specified. Only the
name of the files are stored in the master file (not the complete pathname.)
Also, the default extension ".pak" is added to the master pathname if not
already present. You may need to explicitly add ".pak" to the master
pathname if you have a file with the same name (minus the ".pak").

Once you've created a PAK file you may add more files to it by simply
using it as the master name again. If you want to start from scratch,
delete the master file first.

PAK files are created in multiples of 1K. This facilitates their use
with either XMODEM or YMODEM since no chopping is required.

Example:

1> dir
  Display              Picture
  ReadMe
1> pak Test readme display picture
ReadMe...PAKed
Display...PAKed
Picture...PAKed
1> 

*** Displaying PAKed Files ***

Usage: PAK master[.PAK]

If the master pathname is specified alone, then PAK will display the files
in that master file, along with the original and compressed file sizes.

Example:

1> pak test
SIZE   PAKed  FILENAME
------ ------ --------
239    202    ReadMe
2456   1924   Display
33724  25776  Picture
1>

*** UnPAKing Files ***

This is the easy part! You've already done it when you unPAKed this file.
All you need to do is run the PAKed file. I suggest that you move it to
an empty directory, as it'll overwrite any files with similar names.

When uploading PAKed files to a BBS, explain in the description that all
the user has to do is type the filename from the CLI to unPAK it. Also,
make sure that you use the ".pak" extension (this is the default) so that
this becomes standard and explanations won't be necessary in the future.

Example:

1> dir
  Test.pak
1> test.pak
1> dir
  Test.pak             ReadMe
  Display              Picture
1>

*** End of File ***