Introduction

StuffIt Lite is the newest version of the StuffIt™ shareware archiver. StuffIt has been the industry standard for compression and archiving since its introduction in 1987. Early in 1990, Aladdin Systems launched StuffIt Deluxe™, which introduced many new features into the original StuffIt. A few of these features have found their way into StuffIt Lite, so longtime users of StuffIt may see some new, welcome additions. These additions led people, like yourself, to award the entire StuffIt family the 1993 Macworld World Class Award. Thank you for supporting StuffIt all these years.

StuffIt Lite works with System 6.X and 7.X and is also System 7-savvy, 32-bit clean, and compatible with virtual memory and ’040 caching. StuffIt Lite can be controlled with scripting systems such as AppleScript™ and UserLand Frontier™ software. 

Throughout this User’s Guide you will see the words StuffIt and StuffIt Lite used interchangably.

Why use StuffIt Lite?
Gathering many files into an archive allows you to transmit many files as one file over a modem or network. Compression of the files saves disk space and on-line time when transmitting or receiving files by modem or through a network. Compression of rarely used files also allows you to better utilize available disk space. StuffIt Lite is a shareware product. Shareware means that you can give it away to your friends as long as you don’t charge for it. It also means that, if you use it, you are expected to pay a registration fee of $25. Raymond Lau and Aladdin Systems expect that as a Macintosh user you’ll support our honor system.

Why use StuffIt Deluxe?
The StuffIt Deluxe package is StuffIt Lite’s big brother. It includes many more benefits and features than StuffIt Lite. StuffIt Deluxe includes StuffIt SpaceSaver™, Aladdin’s transparent compression software that frees up disk space automatically. StuffIt Deluxe also includes many more translators for converting foreign archive formats, including Zip, Arc and many Unix formats. StuffIt Deluxe has the ability to view the contents of compressed files even when they are in an archive. StuffIt Deluxe also includes a comprehensive manual that is quite different from what you’re reading now. The StuffIt Deluxe User’s Guide includes scores of “hand holding” tutorials that beginning users may find easier to digest than this User’s Guide. First time users may also find some of the features within StuffIt Deluxe (such as “point and click” access from the Finder) much easier to use than the StuffIt Lite application. StuffIt Deluxe is a commercial product which you can purchase through a dealer or mail order firm. If you are a registered StuffIt Lite user, we have an inexpensive tradeup policy for you to get StuffIt Deluxe.

About the author
StuffIt was written by Raymond Lau with the help of a few other people. Work on StuffIt started around July 1987 (when Raymond was in high school) and has continued ever since. In April of 1989, Aladdin Systems assumed marketing, publishing, and development responsibilities for the StuffIt family of products. Aladdin is devoted to continuously improving and updating the StuffIt family of compression software. We welcome your suggestions or other input.

Aladdin may be reached at:
Aladdin Systems, Inc.
165 Westridge Drive
Watsonville, CA 95076
United States of America
408/761-6200 Phone
408/761-6206 Fax
America Online/AppleLink, GEnie: ALADDINSYS;
Compuserve: 75000,1666; Internet: aladdin@well.sf.ca.us

What do  I need to use StuffIt Lite?
StuffIt Lite works on any Macintosh family computer with at least 2 megabytes of memory. StuffIt Lite requires System 6.0.4 or later.

What do I need to know to use StuffIt Lite?
This User’s Guide assumes that you know how to operate the Macintosh and are familiar with the basic Macintosh terminology such as point, click, drag, and the Finder. If you aren’t familiar with these terms, you should refer to the Macintosh User’s Guide to learn the basic operations of using the Macintosh.

What constitutes the StuffIt Lite product?
The StuffIt Lite product is contained within an installation application called “StuffIt Lite Install”. Upon doing a simple install ,the following items will be placed on your hard disk:
1. The “StuffIt Lite™” application,
2. A “Read Us First!” folder which contains documents with up-to-date information on the software, 
3. The “StuffIt Lite User’s Guide” document, which you are reading now, 
4. The “StuffIt Lite Preferences” file (in your Preferences folder, inside the System Folder), and 
5. The “Aladdin” folder (in your Extension folder, in the System Folder). The Aladdin folder contains the Translator plug-in modules. See the Translators chapter for more information.

Depending on how you received the StuffIt Lite product, you may find “Scripting Tools.sea” on your Macintosh. This self-extracting archive (which you install by double-clicking) installs a “Scripting Tools” folder which contains applications and documents for scripting StuffIt Lite with AppleScript and UserLand Frontier. If you do not have the “Scripting Tools” folder, you should download “StuffIt Scripting Tools.sea” file.

As a registered user, you will always receive the most recent version of the software and be assured that you have the complete product. If you are unsure that you have all the pieces or the current version, contact Aladdin Systems.

Registering Your Copy
StuffIt Lite is publicly distributed as shareware. It is not a free product. You can use the product on a trial basis for up to 15 days and if you are happy with it, you must pay a registration fee of $25. Your registration fee entitles you to special benefits including free technical support, enhanced features, and special product offers. The last page of this User’s Guide contains a registration form for you to complete and send to Aladdin Systems. Be aware that after 15 days, the software will continue to function; we just expect you to register the software within that time.

When you have registered your copy of StuffIt Lite, you get the added functionality of being able to open up to eight (8) archives at one time. With eight archives, you’ll have the ability to drag Stuffed items between the archives. In addition, you will be able to encrypt archives to keep them from prying eyes. As a registered user, you will also be able to access more of the scriptability available through AppleScript and UserLand Frontier.

We encourage you to give the StuffIt Lite package to your friends so that they too may enjoy the benefits of file compression and archiving. Be sure to give them the original Install files and remind them that the copy they get should be registered!