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| Thread ID: 42381 | 2004-02-09 12:25:00 | Zipped files for Newbs - Time for a FAQ? | Laura (43) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 214068 | 2004-02-09 12:25:00 | I got WinZip with the computer I bought last year from a travelling firm specialising in 2nd hand office machines. (No complaints. They had guarantees I've not had to call upon) But I had no computer knowledge, no nerd friends & they supplied no manuals. so it's had to be a personal learning curve right from scratch. That meant you learnt from what you found on websites. And obviously there are pitfalls there for the novice (So who else installed Gator without knowing what it did?) After 6 months, I found Press F1. That helped me on countless things, but zipped files didn't arise. I deleted WinZip from my system a few weeks ago because it drove me potty not "doing" anything. Now I've re-installed it because a download required/did it. But now I also have Winzip Quick Pick on my taskbar (Gambling/Lotto/races, anyone?) still without knowing how to work its Daddy. Yes, this is all about compressed files. And I could look in the Search, couldn't I ? But the point is I just did - and there are so many other Zip queries that maybe it's a really hot topic...and maybe enough for a FAQ? And yes of course, I'll now look in the Search to sort out my query if I can. Just a thort.....and I may be back, if necessary |
Laura (43) | ||
| 214069 | 2004-02-09 13:01:00 | What are zip files? zip files are files that contain one or more compressed files . a compressed file is a file that has been made smaller due to pattens in the data . Example: if you have a file with 100 A's in a row the zip file will only need to store what letter and how many and so the zip will be A100 . the original file would be 100 bytes long and the zipped file will be 4 bytes long and so is compressed . the exact way zip compress files is a lot more complicated that this example but you get the basic picture . if you realy what to know how compressing works then do a google search for LZW Why zip file at all? Smaller files are faster to more over the internet and use less space on disks . instead of emailing a 800Kb file you can load the file in to zip and compress it down to 64Kb and then e-mail that . when the other person gets your zip file they will load the zipped file in to there zip program and unzip it back to the original 800Kb file . What zip program: zip is almost a standard way to compress files, you can use winzip , pkzip , gzip and many more . windows XP comes with a zip program built in to the OS . for most people winzip is the best choice . many other zip programs came with spyware and other unfriendly extras . |
robsonde (120) | ||
| 214070 | 2004-02-09 13:22:00 | Multiple thanks, Robsonde Your explanation is great on the system itself.. However (Hate to be a niggler) it doesn't finish the story. Knowing about file compression is fine, but how do we deal with these things once we've got them? For instance - Download folder has stuff which is zipped. Asks me what to do with it. Choices offered. Winzip would seem to be the answer. That gets clicked . None of the right things happen. So still stuff I don't understand - hence request for FAQ. I'm prepared to admit it's just ME (haven't read enough) so await replies from other newbs who say they've sorted it themselves. In that case, no need for FAQ. |
Laura (43) | ||
| 214071 | 2004-02-09 13:27:00 | once you have a zip file you can open it with your zip program and it will show you a list of all the files. at this point you can select to extract files, choice of where to put the files is up to you. for infomation on how to use your zip program you should read the instructions that came with your program. |
robsonde (120) | ||
| 214072 | 2004-02-09 13:33:00 | I thank you once again. Obviously I have more homework and experimenting to do. |
Laura (43) | ||
| 214073 | 2004-02-09 21:29:00 | off the subject... I didnt like Winzip... but really love Winrar... its easy to use and not so in-your-face... www.rarlabs.com |
00falcon (3801) | ||
| 214074 | 2004-02-09 22:10:00 | Hi Laura . If you have a . zip utility installed on your computer (like WinZip or PkZip) you should be able to right click the zipped file and be presented with several options on how to open it and where . Eg; Open & Open with <name of zip utility> (just opens the zip file to view the contents), Extract (extracts the contents to a folder, a dialogue should open with a suggested location with the option to browse to . . . ), Extract here (extracts the contents to the current folder/destop or where the file currently resides) NB: You can extract once you have opened the zip file to check it's contents (is it realy something you want) for eg, in Winzip go> Actions menu > Extract, you will be offered much the same options of location,etc, as the right click menu . For compression I use the right click menu on the target file with options presented for; Make new zip archive (archive the file in zip format), Zip & email, Make EXE (make self executable file, eg, self extracting) you can also drag and drop your file into an open (WinZip for eg) Zip program window (works for most zip utilities . If your question relates to the: How should this file be handled, dialogue box that pops up when commecing a download, Save to disc or Open with <Winzip>/ Choose program, I always save to disc then check the file before extracting/executing (well maybe not always, sometimes I'm naughty, unfortunately/fortunately it's in my nature) . If you don't like Winzip (& I don't know the add-ons that have installed with it but, kill them) have a look on the PC World or Znet download sites under Utilities > Compression and grap one that is to your liking . PkZip or Power Archiver are a couple that come to mind . Guys does Gzip work on windows these days? Cheers Murray P |
Murray P (44) | ||
| 214075 | 2004-02-09 23:15:00 | > Guys does Gzip work on windows these days? Nope, as far as I am aware. |
stu140103 (137) | ||
| 214076 | 2004-02-09 23:21:00 | Hi Murray P, WinZip and PowerArchive contain the gzip compression code which run off windows, so obviously the compression code has been ported. Have a look in http://gnuwin32.sourceforge.net/ it's in there somewhere, along with a lot of gnuwin32 projects. Noel Nosivad |
Noel Nosivad (389) | ||
| 214077 | 2004-02-09 23:37:00 | Ta Noel, will have a look when I've finished reading mark . p's "in the beginning" posted link (and put some food on the table, of course) . Cheers Murray P |
Murray P (44) | ||
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