for a week know i have been attempting to run these "install" files (i.e. ***** 7.043b install). It was generated after unzipping/unsitting a previously downloaded file. after double clicking the file i am prompted by a message asking what program i woud like to open the file with. what program could open a file without any association? I imagine this must be common knowledge to someone. advise would be much obliged.

If I understand correctly an application is being opened as a file. So the file needs to be treated as an application. For the Mac change the type code to 'APPL'. For Windows I guess you could put .exe at the end of the filename.

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You can unstuff that using stuffit expander. It is free from Aladin. But that won't do you any good. We Mac folks need to download programs that have .sit extensions. Any others are 99% likely to be PC stuff. By the way, try doing a search in programs and enter in ".sit" (minus the "" marks). You'll get a ton of Mac programs listed.

SIT, not ZIT files, unless I'm mistaken can be opened with STUFFIT, available on the web at no charge