Off Topic?: File format "AppleSingle"

[Alan Davis <adavis@saipan.com>]

I've bogged down on trying to convert a graphics file with a .tif extension.  All the usual graphics viewers say this is not a .tiff file. 
   adavis@electra:~$ file PigBladAnotZ.tif 
   PigBladAnotZ.tif: AppleSingle encoded Macintosh file

I have tried several approaches, but none have gotten me closer to understanding the issues; much less convert the file.  This is, I believe, a multiple layer image from a confocal laser scanning microscope.  

Can someone on this list help me to understand what the format is all about, and what I can do to convert?  Perhaps I have other options, once I figure out what the issues are.  Apparently, the issues involve not only the format, but the filesystem structure?

Thank you.  If this seems off topic, please forgive me.  I am committed to finding ways to do all scientific computing work over GNU/Linux.

Thank you,

Alan Davis
Marianas High School
Saipan


-- 
adavis@saipan.com                                     1-670-322-6580
    Alan E. Davis,  PMB 30, Box 10006, Saipan, MP 96950-8906, CNMI

I have steadily endeavored to keep my mind free, so as to give up any
hypothesis, however much beloved -- and I cannot resist forming one 
on every subject -- as soon as facts are shown to be opposed to it.  
                                  -- Charles Darwin (1809-1882)