To download... click on the appropriate link on the software download page, and your browser should automatically begin the download from our ftp site. This should work on most browsers and platforms, especially Netscape or Internet Explorer on Macintosh or Windows. We recommend version 4.5 or higher of either Netscape or Internet Explorer.

A tutorial... provides information on what to do after you download and how to get our software using an ftp client in case downloading with your browser just won't work.

After download... the 4pi software will be on your hard drive in whichever directory your browser or ftp client is configured to use for downloads. The 4pi software for Macintosh will have the .sea.hqx suffix. This file is a self-extracting binary in a BinHex (plain-text) wrapper and, unless something strange has happened, will be uncorrupted regardless of the platform you are using. The BinHex file can be transported by disk or network to whatever computer will be used to decompress it. The 4pi software for Windows will have the .exe suffix. This file is a self-extracting binary and can be transported by disk or network to whatever computer will be used to decompress it.

How to decompress? We highly recommend using the ubiquitous Aladdin Stuffit Expander (version 5.x or higher required, version 7.x recommended). This program is the Rolls Royce of decompression programs and is available for both Macintosh and Windows. It will decompress most file formats, and can decode .hqx files. Modern Macintosh computers have Stuffit Expander installed by default. Older Macintosh computers may have Expander 4.x, which will not work. For the Windows .exe file, Stuffit Expander for Windows can be used but should not be necessary.

Decompressing... is as simple as drag-and-drop or double-clicking. For Macintosh, drag-n-drop the .hqx file onto Aladdin's Stuffit Expander. Alternatively, double clicking the .hqx should automatically launch Expander, or the browser may automatically launch Expander after the download. Either way, the self-extracting archive will be unpacked and can be run by hand (Stuffit Expander usually launches the self-extracting archive automatically). For Windows, the .exe file can be drag-and-dropped onto Stuffit Expander. Alternatively, double clicking the .exe file should automatically decompress the archive.

The result... for Macintosh will be a .sea file (self-extracting archive). Simply double-click on this, and the 4pi software will automatically decompress. It will first ask you for a destination-- please make a note of the directory you choose, as it will make it easier to find your files on your drive after you're done. This procedure often happens automatically on the Mac; you will not necessarily have to perform the step of launching the .sea file. For Windows, the previous step of double clicking the .exe file should be the end of the line; you should be asked for a destination directory, into which the decompressed file will be put.

If you have any problems downloading our software, please send mail to support.