CNET Editors' review
With its inviting interface and powerful underpinnings, Pacifist for Mac enables you to extract only parts of archives as well as do partial installs of selected software package modules. This shareware app also features QuickLook integration that allows you to peek into an archive right from the Finder by pressing the space bar. The 15-second delay you have to endure while trialing the app can be quite annoying, though.
After a speedy installation, Pacifist for Mac asks you for permission to install a QuickLook plugin that enables you to peek into archives without unzipping them. The app opens with a quick tutorial on the different modes it has and presents you with the main window, which features a clean and accessible interface. You'll like the ability to scan for deleted applications and try to determine how the deleted app was installed and whether it's possible to reinstall it. While testing we found this feature to be fairly accurate, although it didn't detect the associated DMG file in one of the tests. In terms of transfer speed, the app is moderately fast, requiring about ten seconds to extract a 20MB file from a ZIP archive.
If you want complete control over what gets installed on your system, as well as the ability to unzip only parts of archives, you'll want Pacifist for Mac on your computer. Also, you may find it extremely useful if you have a data cap or slow Internet connection, since it lets you selectively download files from an archive hosted on the Web.
Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of Pacifist for Mac 3.2.3.
Publisher's Description
From CharlesSoft:
Pacifist is an application for Mac OS X that opens up .pkg installer packages, .dmg disk images, .zip, .tar, .tar.gz, .tar.bz2, .pax, and .xar archives, and more, and lets you install individual files out of them. This is useful if you need to install just one file out of a package instead of the entire package (for example, if you deleted your Preview application and need to reinstall it, but not the whole operating system), if you experience bugs in Installer.app that mess up your symbolic links, or if you just like a little more control over the installation process. Pacifist can open some archive formats over HTTP, in case you want to download only one file from a large .zip archive without downloading the whole file. Finally, Pacifist can examine the kernel extensions installed in your system to let you see what installer installed them, and whether the installer was made by Apple or a third-party.
What's new in this version:
- Fixed an issue that caused incomplete text to appear in the "Quick Start" window
- Fixed an issue that could cause the splash screen to display incorrectly on machines with Intel Iris graphics (hopefully permanently this time)
- Various internal architectural improvements
- Various bug fixes
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All versions:
4.8 starsout of 54 votes
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Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
Write review
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"Another "Finally!""
Version: Pacifist 3.0.9
Pros
Finally, an application that easily does what I've been trying to do for years!
Cons
Do I purchase Pacifist, or eat?
Summary
Every once in a while, an application/utility comes along that easily accomplishes something I've been hoping/trying/wanting to do for a long time, and Pacifist is surely one of these.
I have not explored the results yet, but the facility of extracting material from various installs is fantastic, and the interface is simple enough that even I can use it!
$20 for something I don't expect to use very often is a bit steep, but if I use Pacifist more than once, it's worth it to alleviate a pile of frustrations with a few clicks.
Pacifist has pacified me! -
"Great to fix programs, Example iTunes 11"
Version: Pacifist 3.0.9
Pros
Very quick to install and seems to fix issues associated with other programs and allows you in some cases to go back to a older version and some times a better version of a program that you were used to using. Example: iTunes 11
Cons
Not sure how it works is my only complaint.
Summary
Over all great easy way to fix various installations of newer and older products that don't seem to be working correctly. My advise is to turn off Automatic updates so this doesn't become more of an issue! A++++ Admin Tool!
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"Completely hosed my Mac. The machine is unbootable"
Version: Pacifist 2.6.4
Pros
None. An application that destroys your OS has no Pros.
Cons
Installed and used to reinstall Quicktime. Mac is unbootable and required me to go back to the original install disk (i.e. Tiger) apply all the upgrades to Leopard, and re-install all my applications. Fortunately my data is a backed up. But, it did take a couple of days to get the machine useable again.
Summary
Am I every sorry I ran into this application. What a mess.
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"Does what it's supposed to do and does it well......"
Version: Pacifist 2.6.4
Pros
Very easy to use
Extracts only the program, etc. you need from a bundleCons
Can't think of any!
Summary
I don't use it often but when I need it, it works extremely well.
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"Tool to extract only packages needed out of bundleware."
Version: Pacifist 2.6.4
Pros
Easy to use. Simply identify packages in a bundle that you want and ignore the rest.
Cons
I have found no problems with this tool.
Summary
Simple to use, no bugs that I found, and very good time saver.
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"Ignorance is bliss!"
Version: Pacifist 2.6
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
J Jonah Jamieson has reinforced, yet again, the old adage that a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing. 1. OS X install discs now uses mpkg, metapackage, files which do *not* offer the "Show Package Contents" option when control/right-clicked, so JJJ's "Apple's OS already offers the ability inherently" is a misstatement. (He has obviously never control/right clicked on a Tiger or Leopard install disc icon.) 2. In those instances in which you can show a package's contents and install them with drag and drop there is no way to correctly set permissions, because without using Installer or Pacifist you will not wind up with a bom (bill of materials) in /Library/Receipts, and, therefore, "Repair Permissions" will have no basis for comparison. (Granted that repairing permissions is a topic that generates much heat (including from Charles Srstka) but when entire, sprawling packages are installed with incorrect permissions the chances of something requiring permission repair going wrong are vastly increased.) 3. As has been previously said, many packages have a million and one components and do not lend themselves to drag and drop installation under any circumstances. Pacifist is a miraculously useful app, and Charles Srstka is to be commended for offering it to the Mac community at the nominal price he is charging. Pacifist has helped me out of trouble any number of times, and, as a long-time MacFixIt Forums regular responder (who has now moved to ** along with the entire MFIF Administrator, Moderator, and regular responder crew) I can attest to it its acceptance in the general Mac community as one of the most useful tools one can have in one's arsenal. -
"Great Application"
Version: Pacifist 2.6
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I think the last contributor is very mean.
This App has saved my bacon so many times and for so many of the people I help. It is part of my tool kit like *censored*tail, Onyx, DiskWarrior etc and is indispensable.
It is a fool proof method of plucking single Apps from an Installer for those of us who are not geeks
I think the price is most reasonable and covers all future updates.
iMac 2009 24" 2.66 OS10.5.8 -
"One of the Best"
Version: Pacifist 2.0.1
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
This is one of those all time great applications that you hope you'll never have to use. It's also useful for the tinkerer.
I rarely use it but am most appreciative of having it when I need it! -
"Rating"
Version: Pacifist 2.0
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Try finding many apps on VT that have been rated 90 times with an average of 4.9. Nuff said. -
"Wonderful!!!"
Version: Pacifist 2.0
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
This apps rocks!!! The previous version was quite nice already. This one is really great. A must have!
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