It is funny, out of that entire post I did not see a valid recommendation at all. All I saw was bashing of others recomendations.

An easy (but not fool proof) way of distinguishing between a text file or a binary file is use the ready-made -B file check operator. Or the -T (depending on which way your flag flies).

print "File is binary\n" if (-B);
print "File is a text file\n" if (-T);
[download]

or if you are a "NOT" guy/girl the following might suit your fancy.

print "File is binary\n" if (!-T);
print "File is a text file\n" if (!-B);
[download]

Hope that helps some.