Sarasota PC Monitor
StuffIt
A Software Review
by by Jutta Tolbert
Member of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc.Have you ever tried to send a file only to discover that the email server cannot transmit the file because it's too big, or copy a file onto a floppy only to find the 1.4 meg disk is full before you are finished? Have you ever had to wait and wait and wait while your email server downloads an attachment containing a huge image file or document? With StuffIt 7.0, these frustrating events can become a thing of the past.
Data files available for download from the Internet are typically compacted in order to save server space and reduce transfer times. StuffIt 7.0 is a nifty little program that allows for easier access to files downloaded from the Internet. The compression component of StuffIt lets you compact those larger image files so you can send stuff over the 'Net faster and set it up so the folks on the other end don't have to have the same software to open the file!
To install StuffIt, you need a minimum of Windows 98 with a Pentium-class processor, at least 16MB of RAM and 8MB is disk space. For most of us, this configuration standard was met and exceeded many years ago. So, it's a good bet you have room on your system for this space-saving application.
Standard installation puts files into the Program Files folder, creates an Aladdin Systems folder and puts shortcuts on your desktop for the StuffIt Browser, the DropStuff feature and the StuffIt Expander component. The StuffIt browser is where you access, create or expand files. The browser supports the StuffIt standard file format (SIT), as well as the more common file extensions ZIP, CAB, LZH, ARC, TAR, TGZ, GZ and Z for file compression or expansion. StuffIt also supports the RAR, ARJ and ACE formats. The browser opens like any other Windows folder and works the same, so you can do some file management (delete, rename, etc.) while you're at it.
To take a look at the contents of a compressed file, select the file to be viewed then double click. To exit from the viewer, click on Close/Refresh Archive or go to another directory. To compress (or compact) a file or collection of files, use the browser to select a directory with the files, from the File List Box select the files or folder to compress, then click on Compress from the File menu. You can click on the Advanced button to select more compression features, such as putting a password on the file or adding a comment to the Archive.
When you want to un-compact, or Expand a file from within the StuffIt browser, you just select the file you want to extract (or expand) and double click (you can use the Open Archive button, too). Once in the Destination dialog box, you select the location to which you want the file expanded (another folder, etc.) You can also use the Drag & Drop feature for expanding files. That's one way to expand a file. With StuffIt, you can expand a file another three ways: (1) Right click for the quick menu, then choose Expand; (2) drag & drop the file onto the Expander shortcut on your desktop; or (3) with your Expander window open, drag the file onto an open area that says "Drag and drop archives... here". The last choice will show you a progress bar while the expansion takes place. You can tell StuffIt where you want the expanded files to go, but the default setting sends the file to the same directory (folder) that contains the original compressed file.
With the DropStuff feature, you can compress files using the StuffIt (.sit) format, or you can compress the files using the Zip format. You can choose from the same four ways to compress your files as you did to expand them.
Last but not least, is the StuffIt Express feature, with which you can automate file compression and transport (i.e., FTP upload, send email). A wizard feature will take you through the steps during which you can specify certain settings.
StuffIt was very easy to install. It worked just the way it said on the box. The instructions are contained in an eight-page booklet; they are easy to follow and understand. StuffIt costs $29.95 (US) and you can choose delivery by physical shipment (CD) or downloaded. You can order from www.stuffit.com or if you prefer, call 1-800-656-5443 (US and Canada) or 952-253-8300 (outside the US and Canada) to place your order by phone. :
Copyright 2002. This article is from the April 2002 issue of the Sarasota PC Monitor, the official monthly publication of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc., P.O. Box 15889, Sarasota, FL 34277-1889. Permission to reprint is granted only to other non-profit computer user groups, provided proper credit is given to the author and our publication. We would appreciate receiving a copy of the publication the reprint appears in, please send to above address, Attn: Editor. For further information about our group, email: admin@spcug.org/ Web: http://www.spcug.org/
The Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc. has 1,300+ members and was established in 1982. We are members of the Assoc. of PC User Groups (APCUG), the Florida Assoc. of PC Users Groups, Inc., and we are members of the America Online Ambassador Program.
See http://www.spcug.org for all reviews from the Sarasota PC Monitor, go to the Newsletter Section.