Can't extract BZ2 archives on the latest CD?

I thought I’d post this in case others are having the same problem as I did, it might save someone some time.

The latest CD (number 14, purchased at Wakefield) has some BZ2 files in the “sources” directory. But using !UnTarBZ2 on these files gives the error “UnTarBZ2 is only intended for use on .tar or .tar.bz2 files”.

The solution is to copy the file in question to your hard disc, and rename it so that instead of (for example) being called “SRC-DISC517TAR/BZ2” it is called “SRC-DISC517/TAR/BZ2” – note the extra “/”.

Hmm. Sounds like the CD burning program helpfully renamed these files or whatever you’re viewing the CD contents with is getting the filenames wrong. Looking at the contents of the directory I turned into an ISO image, the file you mention should be called “src-disc.5.17.tar.bz2”. In the ISO image that we burned from, it was still called that. Maybe it’s that useless RISC OS CD reading software again…

Sigh. Sometimes I don’t know why we bother with CDs when RISC OS machines seem to have such a hard time reading them. Its a shame USB flash sticks are a) still more expensive than CDs and b) can’t be read by ancient RISC OS machines with no USB ports. If anyone can point us at somewhere that sells USB flash sticks of maybe 512MB for under £1 each, we’d be interested to know.

USB flash sticks of maybe 512MB for under £1 each

• NORMANSMEMORYSHOP
  
  • Low stock but some cheap ones – maybe they could check their suppliers and source you a bulk amount (after providing a sample)
• USB-FlashDrive.co.uk
  • Personalised corporate stuff really but may also quote you for simple generic drives

I’ve obtained various quotes but sadly I’ve not been able to get flash sticks at circa 512MB for the type of prices we’d need to make them viable for replacing our ROOL show CDs. However, for selling the Tools on, they do look like a good option.