[comp.sys.cbm] Lynx9...unlinking it!

XWUU@PURCCVM.BITNET (12/22/90)

Having read the various postings on archiving programs, I decided to play
with them.  I have had NO trouble un-arcing any SDA or ARC program, I have
not tried the ZIP format, but I can't get the LYNXed stuff to go!

I downloaded the LYNX9 package from the MILTON site (using binary and all
the proper protocols) and then tried to get it up and running.
The program tells me that LYNX9 is LYNXed and needs LYNX to unlink it!!!

Now What???

I have no real use for LYNX other than to unlink software that others have
uploaded, so this is not critical; I'd just like to look at a few prg's
that have been linked.

In a related area...Why DO folks use LYNX as opposed to ARC or SDA?  The
lack of compression and hardware compatibility does not speak favorably.
Any comments from avid LYNX users?

Response by e-mail preferred unless you think lots of folks would be
interested in your reply.

Kirk A. Janowiak
XWUU@PURCCVM

cs4344af@evax.arl.utexas.edu (Fuzzy Fox) (12/22/90)

There are at least 16 versions of Lynx floating around that I know of,
and only SOME of them are compatible with each other.   Particularly,
some programs use PRG files, some use SEQ, some require specific drive
models in order to work, some work on any type drive.

If you are a serious Lynx user, I believe you need Lynx 9, 12, and 15,
which I believe are the best of the various incompatible versions.
However, this may not be true; someone more into Lynxing please correct
me.

The only reason to use Lynx is that it is quite fast.  The files are
merely linked to one another and a short header is added, turning the
files into one long file.  Un-lynxing simply separates the files again,
but no re-reading or re-writing is needed.  However, the problems of
incompatibility and lack of compression should warn anyone to stay away
from Lynx, if at all possible.

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