How do I turn a folder into a JAR file?

Discuss application theming and theme development.
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IE_User_Forever
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How do I turn a folder into a JAR file?

Post by IE_User_Forever »

UHG UHG -_- I've spent forever making this theme and I'm done =] but I have to turn the folder into a JAR file. How do I do this?
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Post by Guest »

Use a zip program and change the file extension to .jar.
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IE_User_Forever
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Post by IE_User_Forever »

How? I have winzip will that work?
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Post by IE_User_Forever »

You there?
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smsmith
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Post by smsmith »

Moving to Theme Development.

The short answer is, ZIP the folder, then rename it to a JAR file.
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IE_User_Forever
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Post by IE_User_Forever »

That didn't work =[ I renamed it My_Theme.jar
And it just stays a regular zip file.
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mcdavis
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Post by mcdavis »

A jar file is a zip file with a .jar extension.

Step 1: winzip, save as zip ==> My_Theme.zip
Step 2: rename zip file to jar file ==> My_Theme.jar
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Profit!
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Post by IE_User_Forever »

I feel stupid saying this, but I cant find the save button. =| Do I have to buy Winzip?
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Post by mcdavis »

You could try ALZIP. It works for me and it's free. http://www.altools.net/Default.aspx?tabid=53

(I think Winzip works too, I just don't use it.)
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Post by smsmith »

WinRAR is a good one, and it's free to use:
http://www.rarlab.com/

I'm not sure if it will run on Win98 though.

7zip is another good free one, and it will work on Win98:
http://www.7-zip.org/
Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.
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Post by mcdavis »

Yeah I like 7-Zip too.
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Post by IE_User_Forever »

I am starting to feel stupid here. =[ I just want to turn this folder into an Executive JAR file so I can drag into my theme box and use that theme.
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Post by smsmith »

I believe you are using Win XP, right? I believe default behavior is to right click the folder, choose "Add to Foldername.ZIP", or some other such choice. I don't think that came from WinRAR, I believe that is default (Win XP has ZIP built in).

Then, right click the resultant ZIP file, choose Rename, and change the ZIP part to JAR. As long as your folder structure is right and you have the correct installation files, the theme should install as you describe.
Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.
I like poetry, long walks on the beach and poking dead things with a stick.
Please do not PM me for personal support. Keep posts here in the Forums instead and we all learn.
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IE_User_Forever
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Post by IE_User_Forever »

What? Not a valid install packet??? -_-
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Post by smsmith »

Like I said, you have to have all the bits and pieces in the right place. Do you have an install.rdf file and a contents.rdf file?

You can then either have all the other folders in the same directory, or in a separate chrome folder. If you use the chrome folder, I think you need to use a chrome.manifest file. I don't use that method, I'm an "old school" guy.

If you are confused about what I am talking about, download another theme, then rename it to a ZIP file and extract it. Then you can see the proper file structure.
Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.
I like poetry, long walks on the beach and poking dead things with a stick.
Please do not PM me for personal support. Keep posts here in the Forums instead and we all learn.
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