recommend zip/unzip program for new Mac user?

[basement zombie]

Hi all,

New Mac user here (these forums helped me make a great, informed choice of my refurbished 2.66ghz iMac), and while the learning curve is significant, I'm loving it, and already realize its just what I've wanted in a computer experience all these years.

I talked with someone recently who recommended I download Stuffit for zip/unzip purposes. I did a search here on the forums and noticed quite a few people expressing frustration with it, and suggestions of multiple programs for different people. I'm a very 'basic user.' I'd rather have one program that I go-to and use for these purposes.

What free zip/unzip program do you recommend?

 

[MacDawg]

OSX should compress and uncompress most things on the fly for you without Stuffit

Right click a file (or control-click) and select: compress 'flle_name'
Double clicking most .zip files should uncompress them as well

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[basement zombie]

OSX should compress and uncompress most things on the fly for you without Stuffit

Right click a file (or control-click) and select: compress 'flle_name'
Double clicking most .zip files should uncompress them as well

Woof, Woof - Dawg

Well heck...what's the point in downloading a 3rd party app, then?
I must be missing something here - are the 3rd party apps much more useful in some way(s)?

 

[alphaod]

I use The Unarchiver.

 

[Catfish_Man]

The main use of third party apps is for more obscure archive formats like .sit and .rar; OSX will handle .zip/.tar/.gr/.tgz/.bz/.tbz just fine.

 

[basement zombie]

It sounds like the Mac standard zip/unzip feature will work just fine for my use. If I run into a situation where its not enough, I'll check out the Unarchiver.

Thanks, folks!

 

[Jethryn Freyman]

The Unarchvier is good, but Stuffit Expander supports the most formats, and can work with password protected archives.