Figure 2: Desktop with Downloaded File

The decompression phase often causes the most confusion by users trying to install software for their Palm devices. This is usually because decompression requires StuffIt Expander and utilizes a variety of file types that are often unfamiliar. However, the process is not really that complicated once you have the right tools and understand what is happening.

	Figure 3: Stuffit Prompt

Software files are compressed to reduce their size for ease of transmission over the Internet. In many cases, if the files were not compressed, they would take hours to download, particularly for users with slow connections. Once they have been transfered, they can be decompressed by the user back to their full size and ready for use.

At this point, if the file downloaded is a .sit format file, StuffIt Expander will automatically decompress the file and output the contents in the save location. The default save location for the file after the download is to the desktop, which is the easiest place to keep the file temporarily while you complete the installation. To find the file, simply look for it on your desktop. Figure 2 shows an example of the desktop after you have downloaded the file. If you cannot find the file on the desktop, then it is possible that your download manager has been set to save to a different location. To find out where the file is saved, simply double-click on the downloaded file name in the download manager and a box will come up showing you where to find the file.

	Figure 4: Unstuffing in Progress

If the file was not a .sit format, or StuffIt Expander did not automatically decompress the file, then simply double-click on the file. A box should pop-up that looks like Figure 3. Click on the open button in the bottom right corner and StuffIt should begin decompressing the file. While the decompression is occurring, a progress box will appear similar to Figure

4. Now that the file is decompressed, you should see more than the original item in the save location (the desktop in this example) as in Figure 5.

	Figure 5: Desktop After Unstuffing

By double-clicking on the folder, you can now see all the new files that have been exposed as a result of the decompression as in Figure 6. Take a good look and remember the file with the .prc format, that is the file you will install on your Palm device.

	Figure 6: File Folder

I am ready to install. Take me to Step 3.