Robert's blog

I have just released BetterZip version 1.7.3. I fixed a few bugs, tweaked the speed here and there, and added a CRC-32 column to the file list. These are checksums that are used to test the integrity of the extracted files. Some users can actually identify their files using these codes and asked me to add it to the list. If you want to see these codes, you need to check the corresponding option in the preferences window, tab "Columns".

One other change: I have removed the dialogue that told you that some temporary folders were left behind after BetterZip quit the last time. Normally, you would just click the "remove all"-button and move on to the task at hand. In some rare situations a user might have wanted to review the contents of these folders, but for everyone else this was just a nuisance. Starting with this version, BetterZip silently puts these temp folders in the trash. If you want to review their contents, check the trash.

Like with every release, please review the version history for all the details.

For the third year Seth Dillingham is auctioning bundles of Mac software. Every dollar raised through these auctions will be donated to the Pan-Mass Challenge, which directly supports the Jimmy Fund, for the research and treatment of cancer at Dana-Farber.

This year you can put together your own bundle and negotiate its price with Seth. Be generous, yes?

I have donated a few copies for this great cause. So, why not go and buy your license for BetterZip and a huge number of other great software from Seth.

I have just released a new version. This one fixes a few crasher bugs from the previous version. The crash reporter is already paying off.

BetterZip still has one issue that I am aware of that I haven't been able to fix: Extracting multiple RAR archives at the same time will crash BetterZip, because the RAR library wasn't built for parallel use and I wasn't aware of the problem until recently. I will add checks to prevent the parallel extraction of RAR archives in the next version, but until then, please, just don't do it. Also, opening a RAR archive while another is extracting leads to the same crash.

Find all the fixes in the version history.

Yesterday was not a day that I will remember especially proudly. I have released version 1.7 without testing it as thoroughly as I should have, although I changed major parts of the application. And so two bugs slipped in that caused some crashes and frowns. It speaks highly of the Mac community that no one started calling me names, but rather you all remained calm and friendly. I apologize for any inconvenience, and thanks for your patience.

To spare us all another such unfortunate release, I am going to start a more rigid beta testing regime and will not release a new version without prior beta testing. If you are interested in participating in the beta test group, please contact me by e-mail.

I have just released the new version. It includes a Spanish localization by Hugo Bueno Sánchez and CodingMammoth's crash reporter by Jelle De Laender which will help me fix bugs and spares you the task of locating and mailing crash reports manually. Thank you both!

The new version also includes a number of bug fixes and enhancements and again a little speed-up. Find a complete list of changes in the version history.