CSE/ENGR 142: Downloading Mac Binaries and Archives
We have provided binary (i.e., not plain text) Macintosh files on the Web,
such as self-extracting archives for homework folders.
For downloading self-extracting archives, you
need to have a copy of StuffIt Expander, which you can get from the lab
Macs.
In order to download binaries you will need to
use Helper Applications in either Netscape or MacMosaic.
Helper Applications in Netscape
You will first need a copy of StuffIt Expander, which you can get from
the lab Macintoshes if yours doesn't already have it. This will be
used by Netscape as a Helper Application to allow you to download
binary files. To add StuffIt Expander to your list of Helper
Applications, bring up the Helper list (under Options menu,
Preferences, Helper Applications -- from the menu at the very top of
the Preferences window). First check whether you already have StuffIt
Expander as a Helper Application by scrolling and looking for
Extension "hqx". If not, click on the New... button. Now
enter the Mime type: "application", Subtype: "mac-binhex40" in the
dialog box. Next enter Extensions: "hqx", and choose Action: Launch
Application. Finally click on the Browse... button, find the
StuffIt Expander application, and click the Open button.
Finally, click the OK button to complete. You can now download
the Mac binary files by simply clicking the appropriate highlighted words
on the Web page.
Be sure to select Save Options from the Options
menu when you are done. It also would be good to restart Netscape and check
that your Helper Applications are still set correctly.
Helper Applications in MacMosaic
To download binaries and slides through MacMosaic, you need to have the
Mosaic Helpers list (under Options menu, Preferences, Helper Applications
button) set right, as follows:
Extension -> Document Type Document Type -> Application
------------------------------- ------------------------------------
... ...
HQX -> application/mac-binhex40 application/mac-binhex40 -> StuffIt Expander
... ...
You may need to scroll these two lists to see the appropriate entry. If
not already set, you can use the Add buttons to add them. [You
should do Add Doc Type first, then select your new addition and do
Set Application, then do Add Extension...
when asked.
You need to have
the appropriate application installed before you do Set
Application.]
Downloading Mac Programs:
Once you have the appropriate Helper Applications set, clicking a link
to a Macintosh archive will download it, and
automatically launch StuffIt Expander to create a "self-extracting
archive", a file that ends in the extension ".sea".
The downloaded files will be put
wherever you usually have Netscape or Mosaic put temporary files; this is
the System Folder by
default, but you might have changed it via the Options menu and/or
Preferences dialog. You can also use
the "Find..." command under the Finder's File menu to locate it, by
searching for the name of the archive or file.
You can discard the file that ends in ".Hqx" or ".hqx".
StuffIt Expander may also expand the self-extracting archive (the file ending
in ".sea") for you to reconstruct the archived file or folder.
If not, open it yourself to
decompress the archive and reconstruct the folder or file that was archived.
To set a default directory other than the System Folder:
Netscape: Set the Temporary Directory (in the
Options menu, Preferences, "Directories, Applications, and News") using
the Browse button.
MacMosaic" You do it via the "Set Temp Directory" button on the
Preferences dialog. You do not want a check next to
the "Use Temp Items f " entry in the Options menu.
Further information
Netscape: The Handbook under the Balloon Help menu has more
information about many of these options.
MacMosaic: The MacMosaic Documentation under the Balloon Help
menu has more information about many of these options.
cse142-webmaster@cs.washington.edu
(Last Update:
)