.28 — MacBinary II Archive
Apple Computer · 1985
A format for bundling Mac files and their metadata for easier transfer.
Key Features
- Combines data and resource forks into a single file.
- Preserves Mac-specific file attributes and metadata.
- Facilitates file transfer between Mac and non-Mac systems.
- Originally designed for classic Mac OS.
Best For
- Preserving Mac-specific file attributes.
- Ensuring compatibility when transferring files from old Macs.
- Bundling single files with their extended Mac metadata.
Less Ideal For
- Compressing multiple files or large directories.
- Modern file sharing or cloud storage.
- Cross-platform compatibility with modern operating systems.
- Archiving for long-term preservation without specialized tools.
Common Use Cases
- Transferring Macintosh files via email or FTP.
- Archiving older Macintosh software or documents.
- Sharing files between classic Mac OS and other operating systems.
- Bundling applications with their associated resources.
How to Open It
- On modern macOS, use tools like The Unarchiver or older Mac emulation software.
- On Windows, specialized decompression utilities like StuffIt Expander (older versions) or dedicated MacBinary extractors can often open them.
- Some file archiving suites might offer support for .28 files.
What is a .28 file?
MacBinary II is a file format primarily used on classic Mac OS to bundle a Mac file's data fork and resource fork into a single file. This was crucial for transferring Mac files to other systems, especially non-Mac platforms, as it preserved essential metadata and resource information. It essentially acts as a container, wrapping the original file while adding specific Mac OS attributes. While largely superseded by modern archive formats and cloud sharing, it remains relevant for users working with older Mac software or archives.
Programs That Open .28 Files
| Platform | Program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | StuffIt Expander (older versions) | Free | |
| macOS | The Unarchiver | Free | |
| macOS Archive Utility (limited support) | Free | Official | |
| Linux | unar | Free |
How to Convert .28 Files
| Format | Method |
|---|---|
| .BIN | Emulation software, Dedicated extractors |
Common Problems with .28 Files
Frequently Asked Questions
.28 files are MacBinary II archives, used on classic Mac OS to bundle a file's data and resource forks, along with its metadata, for easier transfer.
Yes, you can often open .28 files on Windows using specialized archive utilities like older versions of StuffIt Expander or other Mac file extractors.
While it bundles files, .28 itself is not primarily a compression format but a container designed to preserve Mac-specific file attributes during transfer.
Technical Details
MacBinary II files are binary files that contain the original file's data and resource forks. They also include metadata such as file type, creator codes, and Finder flags. The format specifies a header followed by the resource fork data and then the data fork data.