marcoma
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How do I open a .bin file
I just switched over to MAC from PC. How do I open a 'bin file? What software do I need?
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not all .bin files are openable. They may be firmware upgrades or other various non-compressed files.
.bin files are Mac Binary files.
Mac Binary files are an early encapsulation file scheme, like TAR files, but Mac-specific. Since the Mac added special features like file resource forks and extra file information, like creator code (what application made this?) and type code (JPEG, AIFF, TEXT, etc), they needed a way to transmit all this over the internet. This has no compression, but can contain more than one file.
.HQX files (Called BinHex files) are also encapsulation files, but are more like UU-encoded files. This encapsulates files, but in a fashion safe for transmitting through some OLD internet nodes that could only handle certain 7-bit encoding schemes. (This isn't really a problem anymore.) This actually results in some data expansion. However, most files will be compressed before being HQX encoded, so the cost of the expansion is minimal. This is considered to be the safest format to transmit on the internet (which is why you may see a lot of .sit.hqx files.)
sgstuart got it right, you want to use Stuffit Expander to decode these. Its the best. However, if you are feeling contrary, use Google or VersionTracker to search for Mac Binary applications.
Mac Binary files are an early encapsulation file scheme, like TAR files, but Mac-specific. Since the Mac added special features like file resource forks and extra file information, like creator code (what application made this?) and type code (JPEG, AIFF, TEXT, etc), they needed a way to transmit all this over the internet. This has no compression, but can contain more than one file.
.HQX files (Called BinHex files) are also encapsulation files, but are more like UU-encoded files. This encapsulates files, but in a fashion safe for transmitting through some OLD internet nodes that could only handle certain 7-bit encoding schemes. (This isn't really a problem anymore.) This actually results in some data expansion. However, most files will be compressed before being HQX encoded, so the cost of the expansion is minimal. This is considered to be the safest format to transmit on the internet (which is why you may see a lot of .sit.hqx files.)
sgstuart got it right, you want to use Stuffit Expander to decode these. Its the best. However, if you are feeling contrary, use Google or VersionTracker to search for Mac Binary applications.