ImageMaster is a Macintosh freeware utility made to handle really *BIG* disk images. You can use ImageMaster just like you use ShrinkWrap, but ImageMaster is specifically designed to handle large volumes like hard drives, removables and CD-ROMs.
Why do you need ImageMaster?
1. Backing up your old SyQuest cartridges:
Old 44MB and 88MB SyQuest drive can easily be backed up and stored on larger Bernoulli, Magneto-Optical or recordable CD media.
2. Verifying the integrity of CD-ROM builds:
ImageMaster can provide 32-bit checksums for use in confirming the data integrity of CD-ROM’s after the Golden Masters have been sent to production.
3. Take a "snapshot" of your system configuration:
Have you just spent hours configuring your system exactly how you want it? Use ImageMaster to create an image file that's an exact replica of your hard drive that can be use later to restore your system to it's original untouched state.
4. Mounting volumes over the network:
An image file can be mounted from a server such that it appears for all practical purposes to be a local drive. For example, if you keep images of CDs on a network server, ImageMaster will let any remote user double-click on an image file to mount the volume just as if they had inserted the original CD locally.
5. Creating "instant RAM disks":
Just drag a folder onto ImageMaster and a new image file will be created and mounted with the contents of that folder. You don’t even need to reboot. When you’re done, just drag the mounted image to the trash. Unlike ShrinkWrap, ImageMaster images aren't limited to floppy sizes.
How do I use this program?
It's just like ShrinkWrap. Using ImageMaster, you can create disk images by simply dragging and dropping volume icons onto the ImageMaster icon. To mount image files on the desktop, just drag and drop the image files onto the ImageMaster icon. A normal application front end just like StuffIt Expander is available for those who don't prefer drag and drop functionality. If you have the StuffIt Engine installed (which is now distributed as shareware in Aladdin's DropStuff), ImageMaster will automatically compress, decompress or encrypt the image files as they're created, mounted, copied or verified according to the options you set in Preferences.
Does ImageMaster do everything ShrinkWrap does?
No. ImageMaster won't handle floppy disk images, nor will it read anything but drive container files (the same file format that DropDisk and PC Exchange use). When version 2.0 of ShrinkWrap is released this summer, it will also include the ability to manipulate large volume images, but ImageMaster is available right now.
Why the Beta release?
ImageMaster is functionally complete, but it hasn't been tested with more than about a dozen hard drives, CD-ROM drives and removables. I need your help to determine if ImageMaster is compatible with everything out there.
How do I contact the author?
Send bug reports, suggestions and comments to chad@halcyon.com.
Version History:
================
Version 1.0b3 - 19 Jun 95
- Fixed problem mounting image files on systems with no .AFPTranslator driver installed.
- Cleaned up string managment so heap scramble wouldn't cause garbage Open & Save prompts.
- Updated Frontier glue file. (Thanks, Leonard!)
Version 1.0b2 - 18 Jun 95 Initial Public Beta Release
