All programs are also binary. Before you download a file, you should specify which type the file is by using the three buttons at the bottom of the window. If you are unsure of the file type, choose the Automatic button. If you are sure of the format of the file, or if automatic is giving you problems, use the correct button for the file type. Most of the time, the automatic button will make the right choice for you.
Some archives compress their files to save space.
As a result, it may be necessary to decompress your transferred file. This can be done with a program such as StuffIt Expander, which is available from the Brandeis Macintosh File Server or from the web. You may find that some of the transferred files have the suffix .SEA, which means Self Extracting Archive. These will decompress themselves when you double click on them. Responsible system administrators will virus scan all files on their hard drives, but you have no guarantee that the host you just downloaded files from is virus free.