_s_h_o_r_t_e_n is the program  we  recommend  for  compressing  and
uncompressing  soundfiles  on  the  ECMC  SGI  systems.  The
default values generate lossless  compression  (a  soundfile
that  is  compressed and then uncompressed with _s_h_o_r_t_e_n will
sound exactly like the original, and  be  exactly  the  same
size).  For  details  on the program and on options not dis-
cussed here, type
                        _m_a_n _s_h_o_r_t_e_n
or see hardcopy of this man page in the _S_G_I _D_O_C_s binder.

On the ECMC SGI systems, _s_h_o_r_t_e_n can be run either directly,
with  the  _s_h_o_r_t_e_n  command,  or  else with the ECMC scripts
_r_u_n_s_f_c_o_m_p_r_e_s_s and _r_u_n_s_f_u_n_c_o_m_p_r_e_s_s. These 2 scripts are  par-
ticularly  useful  if  you  need  to  compress or uncompress
several soundfiles.  A _r_u_n_s_f_c_o_m_p_r_e_s_s man page provides  full
usage details on both of these scripts. Typing _r_u_n_s_f_c_o_m_p_r_e_s_s
or _r_u_n_s_f_u_n_c_o_m_p_r_e_s_s widh no arguments in a shell window  will
display a usage summary on the script.
                     -  -  -  -  -  -  -
Summary of commands to run _s_h_o_r_t_e_n directly:

To COMPRESS a soundfile, type:
                   _s_h_o_r_t_e_n  _s_o_u_n_d_f_i_l_e_n_a_m_e
The file name extension ._s_h_n will be added to  the  name  of
the  compressed  soundfile,  and the original (uncompressed)
soundfile will no longer exist.   Soundfiles  compressed  by
shorten cannot be played, and you cannot view the header.
                     -  -  -  -  -  -  -
To UNCOMPRESS a currently compressed soundfile, type

                   shorten  -x  soundfile
This will restore the original soundfile  and  its  original
name (without the .shn extension).
                     -  -  -  -  -  -  -
Example: typing:  _s_h_o_r_t_e_n  _m_y_v_o_i_c_e
will cause the  sample  data  in  soundfile  _m_y_v_o_i_c_e  to  be
compressed, and the file will be renamed  _m_y_v_o_i_c_e._s_h_n
At some later time, typing
                  _s_h_o_r_t_e_n -_x  _m_y_v_o_i_c_e._s_h_n
_w_i_l_l "_e_x_t_r_a_c_t" (_r_e_s_t_o_r_e) _t_h_e _o_r_i_g_i_n_a_l _s_o_u_n_d_f_i_l_e "_m_y_v_o_i_c_e"

                     September 9, 1998


