Cyber Maze Mac Resource Guide: Dealing with Common Problems

Here are the answers to selected problems/issues pertaining to using a Macintosh computer. Viewing PostScript Files Dealing with various compression formats (.gz, .zip, etc.) Viewing PostScript Files Despite the fact that the Macintosh is the leading computer for graphic design, the support for viewing postscript file on your desktop is rather limited, but many people use postscript files to exchange information via the internet. It has been customary to simply receive the file and then print it on paper to view it. However, it is often worth viewing the file on-screen to determine if it is worth printing on paper. To view a simple one page document, the program PS2EPS+ was occasionally used with mixed results. Another program used for multiple page documents is called GhostScript. This program is rather unstable and often crashes on a Macintosh. With recent advances on the WWW, the PDF (portable document format) files are beginning to replace PS files. There is a program called Adobe Acrobat Pro which will convert postscript file into PDF files which can then be viewed on your computer using the Acrobat Reader program. Converting the PS files with Acrobat Pro is done with Acrobat Exchange which can be purchased for ~$99. Contact your department secratary for further information. Dealing with various compression formats StuffIt Expander with Expander Enhanceris able to decompress files that were compressed on Unix systems and IBM-PCs and compatibles, including ZIP (.zip), and ARC (.arc) archives; AppleLink (.pkg) packages; gzip (.gz), Unix Compress (.Z), UUencoded (.uu), and StuffIt SpaceSaver files. It will also join files that were segmented with another StuffIt product. Of course, with or without Expander Enhancer installed, StuffIt Expander will expand StuffIt (.sit) and Compact Pro (.cpt) archives, MacBinary (.bin) files, and decode BinHex (.hqx) files. This software can be found on the Essential Software Page. © 1994-2003 PPSA Consulting