Pack-Ice

File Format
Name	Pack-Ice
Ontology	Electronic File Formats Compression Pack-Ice
Released	1990

For other "Ice" formats, see ICE.

Pack-Ice (also called Ice Packer or ICE!) is a file compression program, and associated file format, used on Atari ST computers. It was developed by someone calling himself "Axe of Delight", who later changed his handle to "Axe of Superior".

There are several different versions of the format, and it's not clear how compatible they are.

Identification

Apparently, files begin with ASCII "Ice!", or (starting with v2.40?) "ICE!".

More research needed. The source code for Ancient indicates that files can also start with "TMM!", "TSM!", or "SHE!", or end with "Ice!".

Software

• unice68
• Pack-Ice 2.4 (Atari software)
  • Another copy of the above
• ftp://ftp.untergrund.net/users/ltk_tscc/fujiology/D/DELIGHT/ → ICE*.ZIP: Several versions of Pack-Ice
• Pack-Ice source code (assembly language)
• Ancient

Sample files

• http://cd.textfiles.com/atarilibrary/atari_cd07/DISKMAGS/DBAMAG/DBAMAG12/PICTURES/
• http://sndh.atari.org/sndh/sndh_lf/ → *.sndh
• dexvert samples — archive/packIce

Links

• ICE, from the Atari Forum Wiki
• Packing Algorithms, by Axe of Superior