This section describes different types of updaters and how to install them on your computer. To comply with the developer’s copyright, Insider Software does not modify any updaters. Also, Insider Software takes no responsibility for their non-performance and we are unable to assist you with their installation. If you have any questions or problems you should contact the developer directly. We recommend that you back up your current software before applying the update.
To make it easier to identify an updater, Insider renames the stuffed file as:
product name, version after updating, PPC or 68k, for example, Font Box 2.1 (PPC).sit
Most updaters contain a detailed ‘Read Me’ file that describes installation and the enhancements that the updater makes.
68K, PPC, or Both
All Macintosh computers prior to the Power Macintosh use Motorola processors (CPUs) based on the 68000 (pronounced ‘sixty eight thousand’) design. These CISC (Complex Instuction Set Computing) processors include the original 68000, the 68020, 68030, and 68040. Software written for the 68000 processor are identified as ‘68K’, where ‘K’ is a shorthand notation for ‘thousand’.
The Power Macintosh computers use a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) processor known as the PowerPC. This line currently includes the original 601, the low-power 603 and 603e, and the 604 and 604e. Software written to take advantage of these processors is identified with ‘PPC’.
Developers also create ‘FAT’ software that runs at maximum speed on either a 68K or PPC processor.
The Insider Updates software determines the kind of CPU you have and downloads the specific updaters for your machine.
Update Installers
These programs are designed to update a particular version of a particular software product. After launching the program, the Installer either automatically locates the product or asks you to select it. The ‘Read Me’ files with these installers usually include instructions for any other steps you may need to perform.
Replacement Programs
These programs consist of Applications, Control Panels, Extensions, and Utilities that completely replace your installed version. To install the Control Panels or Extensions, drag them over the closed System folder. If you don’t see a message to replace the existing file, then you need to remove the old Control Panel or Extension manually. To install new Applications, replace your old copy with the new one.
Disk Images
These files are images of floppy disks. To avoid creating a physical floppy disk, we recommend using either ShrinkWrap™ or Apple’s Disk Copy 6.1.2 or later. Disk Image files usually appear of type ‘Document’ and are 1.4MB in size. Please refer to ShrinkWrap or Disk Copy to use the disk images.
