You may notice that some files say "This file must be converted with BinHex 4.0." This is a file that has been "BinHexed." BinHex is a program that converts binary files into text files, thereby making them easier to transfer. (You may be familiar with the UNIX utility "uuencode" which does the same thing. See the uuencode document.)

If you use the Fetch program to download files, it will automatically de-BinHex your files for you, unless you download in binary mode.

Alternatively, you can use the Stuffit Expander program. (We recommend Stuffit Expander because it is much more flexible, is easier to use, and does more things than BinHex 4.0.)

Stuffit Expander is a utility that can expand BinHex files, Applelink packages, Compact Pro archives, and Stuffit archives. (You can identify these files by the suffixes .pkg, .hqx, .cpt, and .sit, respectively.)

To de-BinHex or expand files:

• Run Stuffit Expander.
• Choose Expand... from the File menu, and select the file you wish to convert. It will take care of the rest.
• Note: When you first run Stuffit Expander, it won't give you any special windows. The way you know that you are in the program is that you will see its icon in the upper right of your screen, as below. It is very easy to mistakenly switch out of the program by clicking somewhere on the screen. To get back to it, click on the icon next to the bubble with the question mark in it, and, holding the mouse button down, select Stuffit Expander. (It is also easy to forget you have Stuffit Expander running. Don't forget to select Quit from the File menu when you are finished!)

Alternate method:
If you find that you are using this utility often, you might consider keeping it on your desktop. Stuffit Expander supports "drag and drop," which means that you can click on the file you want to convert, and, holding down the mouse button, drag the file onto the Stuffit Expander icon, releasing the mouse button when the icon is highlighted. Stuffit Expander will open up, convert your files, and then exit. (The program does not need to be on the desktop to do this; this method will work wherever you keep it.)

What about this compressed file that ends in ".sea"?
Files that end in ".sea" are "Self-Extracting Archives." To decompress them, merely double click on the file. The file decompresses itself.