Summary of "Hands-On Mac 174: Archiving Files With Keka"

Released on March 20, 2025, hosted by Micah Sargent on TWiT.

Introduction

In the 174th episode of Hands-On Mac, host Micah Sargent explores the capabilities of Keka, a third-party open-source archive utility designed for Mac and iPhone users. Spurred by listener Brent's recommendation, Micah delves into why Keka stands out as a powerful alternative to macOS's built-in Archive Utility.

Overview of Keka

Micah introduces Keka as a versatile file archiver that offers more functionalities compared to the default Archive Utility. He highlights its availability through multiple channels:

• Free and Open Source: Accessible via Keka's GitHub page or through Homebrew as a cask.
• Mac App Store: Priced at $5.99, this version ensures users receive updates seamlessly through the App Store. Micah clarifies, "Don't be afraid, do not worry. That is simply if you would like to tip the developer afterwards. So it's not a subscription service" [08:15].

Installation and Setup

Micah walks listeners through the installation process:

1. GitHub/Homebrew: Offers free access to the latest version. Ideal for users comfortable with open-source platforms.
2. Mac App Store: For those preferring a more streamlined update process, purchasing from the App Store ensures easy maintenance.

He emphasizes the importance of supporting developers, stating, "If you want to support the developer of this tool and you also want to make sure that you've got the latest version at all times, you can... get it on the App Store for $5.99" [01:10].

Keka's Interface and Settings

Upon launching Keka, Micah describes its user-friendly interface. He navigates to the Settings menu to uncover a range of customizable options:

• Default Actions Based on File Extension:

  • Users can configure Keka to always compress, always extract, or extract compatible formats based on file types.
  • Example: "If it's a zip, I want you to unzip it. If it's not, probably compress it." [02:30].

• General Preferences:

  • Options to activate Keka with new operations.
  • Control Center Integration for quick access.

• Default Uncompressor:

  • Setting Keka as the default extractor requires adjusting system settings or using the Get Info method for individual file types.
  • Micah explains, "Simply right-clicking on a file, choosing get info and then under open with changing it from Archive utility in this case, which is the default file to Keka" [04:20].

Supported Formats

Keka boasts extensive support for various compression and extraction formats:

• Compression Formats:

  • ZIP, 7ZIP, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, LZIP, DMG, BROTLI, ZSTD, LRZIP, AAR, and WIM [05:50].

• Extraction Formats:

  • JAR, ISO, DMG (Disk Image), TAR, RAR, EXE, and CPGZ, among others [06:10].

This broad support ensures users can handle virtually any archive format encountered.

Compression Options

Keka offers a detailed Compression Screen with multiple settings:

• Default Format: ZIP is the standard, but users can select from other formats based on their needs [07:00].

• Compression Levels:

  • Normal: Balances speed and file size.
  • Maximum Compression: Reduces file size further but takes longer [07:30].

• Integrity Verification: An option to verify the compressed file ensures data integrity, giving users confidence that the compression process was successful. "Being able to verify the integrity of the compression is a big one" [09:00].

• Encryption:

  • AES256 Encryption: Provides a secure way to protect compressed files.
  • Default Password Setting: Users can set a default password for streamlined encryption [09:45].

• Tarball Extensions: Facilitates creating tarball extensions, beneficial for software development and distribution [10:15].

Extraction Options

Extraction settings in Keka are equally robust:

• Resource Forks: Users can choose to include or exclude Mac-specific resource forks, such as .DS_Store files [10:50].

• Quarantine Inheritance: Ensures that extracted files inherit quarantine attributes from downloaded files, maintaining system security [11:10].

• Temporary File Handling: Options to move compressed files to trash after extraction helps in maintaining a clean workspace [11:30].

File Access and Performance

Keka offers granular control over file access permissions and performance settings:

• File Access:

  • Granting access to home folders, external volumes, or specific directories enhances Keka's versatility [11:50].
  • Users can add individual folders to customize access further [12:00].

• Performance Management:

  • Users can adjust how much system resources Keka utilizes during compression or extraction, allowing for optimized performance based on individual system capabilities [12:15].

Finder Extension Integration

One of Keka's standout features is its Finder Extension:

• Ease of Access: Allows Keka to appear directly in the Finder's context menu, enabling quick compression or extraction with a simple right-click [13:00].

• Customization: Users can enable or disable the extension based on their workflow preferences [13:10].

Micah demonstrates this feature by selecting multiple PDFs and compressing them directly from Finder, showcasing the efficiency and convenience it provides [13:20].

Live Demonstration

Micah conducts a live demonstration to illustrate Keka's practical applications:

1. Compressing JPEGs:

   • Selected multiple JPEG files and used Keka to compress them into a ZIP file.
   • Achieved a 0.2 MB reduction in file size, demonstrating Keka's effective compression [07:50].

2. Compressing PDFs:

   • Selected various PDF files and compressed them, resulting in significant space savings.
   • Highlighted the option to exclude Mac resource forks and enable encryption during compression [13:20].

3. Extraction Process:

   • Demonstrated extracting files directly through Keka's interface, emphasizing speed and reliability.

Throughout the demonstration, Micah underscores Keka's user-friendly interface and efficiency in handling large batches of files.

Setting Keka as Default Archiver

Micah provides a step-by-step guide to set Keka as the default archiver for supported file types:

1. Using Third-Party Tools: Automates the process of associating Keka with various archive formats.
2. Manual Method:
   • Right-Click on File: Select a supported file type (e.g., .zip).
   • Choose "Get Info": Navigate to the "Open with" section.
   • Select Keka: Change the default application from Archive Utility to Keka.
   • Apply to All: Ensures all files of that type open with Keka by default [05:15].

Micah emphasizes the seamlessness this integration provides, allowing users to rely on Keka without manual intervention each time.

Supporting the Developer

Towards the conclusion, Micah reiterates ways to support Keka's development:

• Free Version: Accessible via GitHub or Homebrew for those who prefer not to purchase.
• App Store Purchase: Choosing the paid version ensures ongoing support and auto-updates, benefiting both users and developers [13:30].

He expresses gratitude to listener Brent for highlighting Keka, fostering a community-driven discussion on useful Mac utilities.

Notable Quotes

• "Keka absolutely is much more in-depth than the default Archive Utility." [07:20]
• "Being able to verify the integrity of the compression is a big one." [09:00]
• "Setting Keka as your default uncompressor ensures seamless file handling." [05:15]

Conclusion

In this episode, Micah Sargent presents Keka as a powerful, flexible, and user-friendly alternative to macOS's built-in Archive Utility. With its extensive format support, customizable settings, and integration capabilities, Keka empowers users to manage their archived files more efficiently. Whether accessed for free or purchased via the Mac App Store, Keka proves to be a valuable tool for both casual users and professionals seeking enhanced file archiving solutions.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the informative aspects of the episode.