


What's new in 1.4:
------------------

     I dare say, nothing is new here. Some logics is changed, a bug with
DIET packer is fixed, a couple of new switches are added. The main  idea
and algorithm are the same, but minor changes are there also.
     Here are 2 new switches:

        -l## where ## is a decimal number. Specifies  a  decoder  level.
             The bigger number is used, tracing of the program  will  go
             further. If you find after unpacking that UUP didn't unpack
             the program (produced  a  packed  file),  you  may  try  to
             increase this level. Default value is 1.

        -s More strict file sizing. I don't know, whether this switch is
             very  useful.  For  some  packers  this  switch  allows  to
             decrease the output file length.



     Here, I've a PROPOSAL:
                  --------

     What about UUP which uses 386 protected mode, more intelligent  and
flexible. I've seen a program that uses the  same  idea  that  UUP  uses
(called TSUP, authors: Levan Natroshvili,George Datuashvili)  -  a  good
implementation of the idea, but it is a mere implementation of the  same
idea, no new methods...
     May be, somebody will gather his courage  and  create  a  wonderful
unpacker of executables? Here are some of new ideas about it:

        - 386 protected mode (8086 virtual machine) allows to  eliminate
          computer hangs.

        - more flexible (or user specifiable) behavior of  decoder;  set
          of decoders (one for PKLITE+DIET+LZEXE,one for  NORTON  6,etc)
          The user can select a decoder to be used or they are tried one
          by one until successful unpacking.

        - unpack .com files also - not only  .exe  files;  BTW,  try  to
          delete the effect of COM2EXE,EXE2COM programs.

        - More precise file sizing; if human being is able  to  truncate
          executable file so that it continues to do the  job,  computer
          is able to truncate it so that it will work sometimes. :-)


     If this seems to be interesting  to  you,  I'm  glad  to  help  you
(ideas, old sources, good and bitter experience, etc.)

     You can reach me at 2:291/706.34@Fidonet.


Bye,

Ilfak Guilfanov.
