Stuff It Deluxe 8.5 for Windows

Allume Software's Stuff It Deluxe 8.5

This program makes it easy to open and close files. While the interface maybe a bit busy at times, this one allows you to create executable files. The drag and drop simplicity is nice, and the whole concept is really great. Allume has a real winner in this compression utility.

Friday, October 01, 2004

Stuff It Deluxe 8.5 for Windows

www.stuffit.com 

A review by Kurt von Behrmann

System Requirements 

1. Windows XP and 98 SE, ME, 2000 and of course XP Pro
2. 64 Megs of Ram
3. 40 MB of hard drive space

 The Deluxe is $39.99 and standard is $ 24.99 

Aladdin Systems, now Allume Systems, has been in the business of creating compression software for both the Windows and Mac platforms for some time.  Having been accustomed to the likes of Winzip, and assorted other compression utilities, Aladdin systems Stuff It Deluxe offers just a bit more than one might expect from such a utility. Along with a slew of ease of use features that expand on what a compression utility normally is expected to do, this program could be a real asset for the new user, as well as those who appreciate an easier work flow. 

For those unfamiliar with zip, rar and all of the many other three letter suffixes, file formats like zip, a very popular one, compress files to make them smaller so that they occupy less space on a given hard drive, and/or to be transported to another system over the net. The idea behind compression is to both conserve space as well as keeping multiple files together in one safe location.  

Even with more bandwidth and larger hard drives, the advantages of turning files into zip, rar and other archival forms not only makes them smaller and more efficient to move, it also alleviates the problem of files becoming corrupted in transport. It is in the area of file archiving and preservation that Stuff It explores that sets it apart from most utilities in this class. 

For starters, Stuff It supports the usual suspects in file formats, zip, arc, rar and stix, Stuff It’s very own format. It has been a favorite for mac users for some time. If interoperability with Macs is a concern and trading files is as well, Stuff it has you uncovered. 

Unlike some compression programs that charge extra for offering files that open without their host program, Stuff It ships with the ability to create files that will open on their own without the need for the program that created them.  This is an added plus if you are uncertain if the party at the other end can open your files.  

In addition to self opening files, Stuff It can back up files, FTP them and it even integrates with Microsoft Office 2003. The program can actually schedule back ups. 

Another nice ease of use feature here is the drag and drop approach to file creation. Simple drag your files onto the program’s interface, and like magic they are archived. 

As solid as all of these features are, and the work flow is excellent, Stuff it has yet to create a really smooth interface.  The look of the program resembles a bit of a grab bag as far as access to features is concerned. 

In actual operation the program is relatively easy to use, but the interface makes it look much more complex than it is.  In sharp contrast to the polished look of other applications, this one has a bit of rawness to it as if it just emerged from freeware land without the polished look of most commercial applications.

 Looking past the cosmetics, there is a lot to like about Stuff It Deluxe. First, it does make using compression files much easier. The support for such a wide spectrum of formats is a big plus, along with the added functionality and ease of work flow touches.

 Summation

While I am not so sold on programs that integrate with Office, most just slow the suite down or cause more trouble than they are worth, I am sold on the functionality, ease of use and smooth work flow of Stuff It Deluxe.

Aside from an interface that looks cluttered, the advantages that this program has outweigh the deficits. Taken as a collective whole, there is a great deal of value to be found here, along with some excellent feature sets.  Working with the program is relatively easy, and getting past the GUI is not that difficult. When factoring in price points and functions, as well as the file formats supported, there is little to dislike with this value packed compression application.