Edit a file on a Mac (hfs+) partition using a Ubuntu USB stick

1. download and install the Lubuntu iso onto a USB stick (the dd command works for writing to USB).
2. Download the hfsplus debian package onto another USB stick.
3. Boot into lubuntu and install the hfsplus package (sudo dpkg -i <thepackage.deb>)
4. mount your drive ( mount -t hfsplus -o force,rw /dev/sdXY /media/mntpoint )