ASCIFY.COM by Mark Adler Pasadena, CA 1987.

ASCIFY converts one or more files into a single standard text file with
error checking and optional encryption. It can also read such a file
and recreate the original files. It's purpose is to allow the sending
of arbitrary PC binary files over text only links, such as nationwide
mail networks like BITNET and ARPANET.

To convert to a single text file, use ASCIFY with two arguments:

ascify *.* util.asc

This will create the text file UTIL.ASC which contains all the files in
the current directory.

To convert an ASCIFY file back to its original files, use ASCIFY with
just one argument:

ascify util.asc

This will recreate the files to the current directory, including the
original date and time stamps. ASCIFY also checks that the file came
across faithfully using check characters (CRC's) after each 1/2 K.

The data can be encrypted as well. Use a slash followed by a one to
five letter key. Upper and lower case are significant in the key:

ascify *.* util.enc/zztop

and to decode it:

ascify util.enc/zztop

If you enter the key "?", then you will be prompted for the key and when
you type it, it will not be echoed. For example:

ascify util.enc/?

and you will be prompted:

Enter key: _

If you want help on the ASCIFY command, simply enter it with no
arguments:

ascify

Note that ASCIFY is, in a sense, the opposite of compaction utilities
(like PKARC) since its output is larger than its input (about 30%
larger). It is recommended that you use a compaction utility on the
files to be sent, and then use ASCIFY on the result to reduce the size
of final file to be sent over the network. For example:

pkarc a util *.*
ascify util.arc util.enc/zztop

will create a (hopefully) smaller file than "ascify *.* util.asc". Then
use:

ascify util.enc/zztop
pkxarc util.arc

to reconstruct the files sent. Using a compaction utility also improves
the security of encryption.

Whoever is getting the file at the other end will need ASCIFY, whatever
compaction utility you used, if any, and the key you used, if any, to
reconstruct the files contained in the text file. To get ASCIFY over
the network, simply send the ASCIFY.ASM file to your network buddy and
hope that she can find MASM, the Microsoft Macro Assembler, and run it
as follows:

masm ascify;
link ascify; (ignore the no stack segment message)
exe2bin ascify ascify.com
del ascify.exe

Alternatively, you can mail ASCIFY.COM on a diskette. Once you get
ASCIFY over, you can use ASCIFY to send the compaction utility you are
using. If you find the need to use encryption, you should not send the
keys over the network in any way---even in an encrypted file. Keys are
only secure if sent by another medium, such as the telephone or the U.S.
mail.

Version History -

1.0 11 Apr 87 First distrbuted version.
1.1 14 Apr 87 Write failures caught, encode slightly sped up.
1.2 16 Apr 87 Archive bit set on output, check DOS version.
1.3 21 Apr 87 Added hidden key input.

Feel free to send any problems with or comments on ASCIFY.COM to:

Mark Adler
P.O. Box 60998
Pasadena, CA 91106