It is possible, as far as i know, to use the unix command "file -bi <filename>" and parse the returned result. It works very fine, but, unfortunatedly ;^)) just on Unix/Linux/*nix. Have read this on the [Zope] list and tested myself.

This is not quite correct, http://sources.redhat.com/cygwin/ At least the cygwin UNIX for win environment includes file(1). So this should work on any plattform where zope works. cheers, oliver