The most common format for OS X application downloads are disk images (.dmg extension) and zipped files (.zip extension), but once upon a time StuffIt files (.sit extension) were quite prevalent. One utilized StuffIt Expander, by Allume Systems, to extract the contents of these .sit files. This application was bundled with the Mac OS, thus allowing users to expand these files out of the box.
Upon the release of Tiger - Mac OS 10.4 - Apple no longer included StuffIt Expander in its application package. Imagine my surprise upon downloading a .sit file, only to discover the inability to expand it. This is a step toward eliminating the .sit format and treading along the path of disk images and zip files. Not that it really matters to me, but these things are interesting.
Come across a .sit file? Download StuffIt Expander for free via StuffIt’s site.
Companies who once used the StuffIt format ought to switch their files for download to disk images or zipped files. I noted that Ambrosia Software’s most recent new applications feature a disk image download, but their middle-aged applications as recent as EV Nova still utilize the StuffIt compression format. Companies, move with the times and please do not force me to download a third-party expander utility just to install your product.
December 16th, 2006 at 2:17 am
The dying of StuffIt is very sad to me. It got a shot in the arm when the newer .sitx format came out with many improved features, but unfortunately it was already dying by that time and .sitx wasn’t enough.
Yes, back in the day. When you needed 3rd party software to expand a .zip file. Now the situation is an exact 180. How ironic.
December 16th, 2006 at 2:19 am
See?? Look at me..! Technostalgic everywhere I go!!