Fetch Softworks

txt files larger after download (5 posts)

• Started 9 years ago by Rudolph
• Latest reply 9 years ago from Rudolph

• Rudolph Member

  Hi,
  I have just discovered that since a few months when I downlaod .txt files with fetch they get 1.3 MB or more added to their file size. For example, when on the server the file is 40 KB, when downloaded to my local Mac it's 1.4 MB. The contens of the file when opened in a text editor is identical. This happens with any .txt file from any server. When using a different ftp-client it does not happen. It staretd two months ago for no obvious reason. Scanning my May for viruses didn't bring any result.
  I have no idea why this is happening. Please help!
  Thanks, Rudolph

  Posted 9 years ago #

• Jim Matthews Administrator

  Hi,

  Fetch lets you specify what application should be used to open files that you download (for example, that .txt files should be opened in BBEdit). To do that it adds some information to the file, along with a custom icon so that you will be able to tell visually what application the file will open in. The custom icon is the reason the file is larger.

  Sorry for the scare! I hope this explains what's going on.

  Jim Matthews
  Fetch Softworks

  Posted 9 years ago #

• Rudolph Member

  Hi Jim,

  I've been using fetch for over a decade now and it never did anything similar. All downloaded files show the correct icon and open in the right application. It's only the file size which is enlarged by 1.4 MB (which would be far too much for just an icon and some info) and for text files only. This doesn't happen if the endig is .cgi or .pl. It's relly starnge. Any other idea what could cause this?

  Thanks, Rudolph

  Posted 9 years ago #

• Jim Matthews Administrator

  Hi,

  Fetch has been doing this for nearly 10 years; see this message board thread from 9 years ago:

  http://fetchsoftworks.com/fetch/messageboard/file-size-much-larger-after-i-download

  If memory serves Fetch will only add the icon if you've specified an application for the file type in question. So if you did that for .txt, but not for .cgi or .pl, that would explain the behavior you are seeing.

  For example, I just downloaded a 20 byte .txt file that I've set to be opened in BBEdit. The Finder Get Info window lists the size as 541KB (535,201 bytes, to be exact). If I open it with a utility called Super Get Info I see that the data fork is 20 bytes, while the resource fork (which holds custom icons) is 535,181 bytes. The size of the custom icons depends on the application chosen to edit the file type.

  I hope this helps,

  Jim Matthews
  Fetch Softworks

  Posted 9 years ago #

• Rudolph Member

  Hi Jim,
  many thanks for your help! I changed the file type to TexEdit and now they are small again.
  Fetch is the best!
  Thanks again,
  Rudolph

  Posted 9 years ago #