[X4U] Reading Linux EXT3 format on Mac?

[Joe Sporleder]

I am running a Synology DS212 for a small workgroup and have an external USB3 Western DIgital drive for backup purposes. I will eventually add a 2nd DS212 as a backup unit, but in the meantime, would like to be able to read the EXT3 format (the DS's preferred format) on my Mac in an emergency. A google search says I need a couple of pieces of software, OSXFuse & Fuse-ext2 (they work with Lion, I'm currently on Snow Leopard, will probably migrate most of my workstations to Mountain Lion in about 6 months). Has anyone had any experiences with these software packages, good or bad? Alternatives I should consider? Some of the other solutions I've seen look to be a little old, not sure how well they'd work with Snow Leopard and beyond.

Joe