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TICKET ARCHIVE -> opening downloaded applications

xrootbeerx - Mar 9, 2008 - 5:58 am

hi im very new to Mac. i have a new macbook (osx leopard) and im just learning about downloading. my problem is i have downloaded .zip and .flv files and .ror and i have no idea how to open them. i have downloaded STUFFIT Expander 12 and all it does is make an .exe document. i dont know if im missing something or what. i have also downloaded a zip expander but as soon as it was finished downloading it went straight to a .exe file.
i hope you can help me with my lack of knowledge and endless questions.
thanks in advance

earthsaver - Mar 9, 2008 - 7:51 am

I don't know how you're getting EXEs created on a Mac. However, Archive Utility is built in to handle ZIPs. They should open upon download if you're using Safari, or be openable with just a double-click if you do so manually in the Finder.

You shouldn't need Stuffit Expander because almost no one distributes .sit archives anymore. Your .flv files are Flash Videos. You can use SWF & FLV Player or [url=http://www.videolan.org/VLC Player[/url] to play them. RAR files need to be expanded first. Use RAR Expander. (Download the current beta version for the best stability on your computer.)

- Ben

xrootbeerx - Mar 9, 2008 - 11:30 pm

ben- so the flv player and rar expander work great, thanks. i think my problem with the .zip files is i might be downloading files for windows? would that explain the "setup.exe" files that i have? the file i was trying to download was a version of IPOD RIP from download.com.
i think that is my problem, but if you have any more info, it would be appreciated.
thanks
jeremy

earthsaver - Mar 9, 2008 - 11:35 pm

That would do it. Mac OS X doesn't care what kind of files are archived in a ZIP and is quite content expanding them for you anyway. I recommend searching for downloads on VersionTracker, which is probably a little clearer about OS compatibility than Download.com.