TITLE
    FLASH: Apple SW Updates Converted to MacBinary
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		32019
3/18/98
4/13/99
TOPIC

    Files in Binhex format converted to MacBinary format

    On Thursday, March 19, 1998, Apple will convert all files on ftp.info.apple.com from Binhex format to MacBinary format. The reason for this change is that MacBinary (.bin) files are up to 30 percent smaller than Binhex (.hqx) files, and downloading MacBinary files versus Binhex files generally results in an improved download time. Most web browsers are already configured to decode MacBinary, so the change is expected to be seamless.

DISCUSSION

    Broken Links

    This conversion will not affect users who access ftp.info.apple.com and navigate to a particular location to download software. However, links from other web pages may no longer work, resulting in a "broken link".

    The easiest way to avoid broken links to software on ftp.info.apple.com is to point to the directory that contains the software, rather than the software itself. That is, any URLs pointing to directories will not need to be changed.

    If a web page links to ftp.info.apple.com, and the URL ends in ".hqx", the link will need to be changed after the conversion. The easiest way to update URLs so that they still work after the conversion is to change any occurrence of ".hqx" to ".bin".

    If a web page requires a link to a Binhex file instead of a MacBinary file, the easiest way to update the link so that it still works after the conversion is to change "ftp.info.apple.com" in any URL to "ftphqx.info.apple.com."

    Where to Get Help

    If you have difficulty downloading files from ftp.info.apple.com or ftphqx.info.apple.com, you can get help by pointing your web browser to < http://support.info.apple.com/ftp/swhelp.html >.

Document Information
Product Area: Apple General Information
Category: Apple On Line Resources
Sub Category: Apple SW Updates; Apple Web & ftp Sites

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