We shall start with the list of file archiving programs. Here you can see the most complete list in the UA-net for today.
RAR, WinRAR(v.3.60)$-35 RAR, ZIP+ Windows, DOS, LINUX-s, OS/2.MacOS X, Pocket PC, integration (2006)
ZIP, WinZIP (v.10)$-30 ZIP+ Windows, integration (2006)
UltimateZip (v.2.7.1)Free 9+15 formats, integration (2003)
FilZip (v.3.0)Free 6+14 formats, small, a built in mail client (2004)
QuickZip 2.22 Free 10+23 formats, small(2003)
PowerZip (v.6.5)$-20, 3+7 formats (2004)
EasyZip 2000 (v.3.5)Free ZIP integration (2002)
ZipWave (v.1.3)$-18, 15 formats (2003)
ZipMagic (v.4.0)$-40, ZIP 1+16 formats, a built in plag-in for mail clients(2002)
CyD Archiver XP (v.1.1)$- ZIP Windows small (2004)
Stuffit Standart (v.8.5)$-25 5+13 formats, Mac, Windows, Linux, Solaris(2006)
PowerArchiver 2006 (v.9.63)$-20 , 7+21 formats (2006)
ZipOffice 10 Classic (v.3.0) $-39, 8 formats
7-zip (v.4.42) Free 7z(5+10), Windows, interface 20+ languages (2006)
ZipGenius SR3 Suite (v.1.4)Free 15 formats, has FTP and mail clients built in(2002)
ARJ 2.81a (îñòàíí³é), WinARJ32 v.8.0.0.83 (2000), WinARJ 98(v.4.1.0.8)$-49+Free(personal) DOS(console), Windows (2003)
JAR 1.02 n is characterized by a compression of high level, crossplatforming (is being worked out) from ARJ-creators(2003)
ZipZag (v.1.54)$- 130 formats (2004)
BioArc (v.1.3) Free-?, good compression, own multimedia MPEG files compression algorithm (2002)
UHA, WinUHA (v.2.0 RC1)Free (2006)
BitZipper (v.3.4.1)$-20, 8+17, 7SFX formats (2004)
ACE, WinACE (v.2.65)$-29+Free-with an advertisement module, 6+10 formats (2006)
SBC Archiver 0.969 DOS, SBC Archiver 0.969 Win32 n console, “strong” algorithm encryption (2002)
pkZIP, pkUnZIP n
ZOO n
UPX 1.24, UPX 1.24 DOS n ò³ëüêè äëÿ .EXE, .COM, .DLL (2003)
So, let's find out what an archiver is.
An archiver is a program which reduces data volume through mathematical calculations without or with the minimal data loss. On the other hand, archiver extracts files which have been compressed before. It should be pointed out that after compression data acquire some specific meaning available only to the archiver, especially if the compression mode is unique. Other programs are not able to use these data due to some technical reasons (see below)).
Mathematically the process of compression is possible in two variants: 1 - without initial data loss, 2 - with initial data loss (noise of the algorithm!). Not to get deep into mathematical explanations, we can compare compression process with the book being photographed at a microfilm. As a result, we insert a 200 pages book (A4 format) into a match box (a technical nuance - it is impossible to photograph and read such books without special equipment). One more example is an e-book on CD, DVD etc. One CD can easily contain a library of 20 000 books. Again, one can not record and read such info without specialized equipment. Now we'll have some statistical data:
If we take a better look at the archive formats listed above, we can see that there are:
For the Fall, 2006:
Looking through archives tests in literature for the last five years, deferring to personal experience, it turns out that there are two constant Windows-platform figurants — WinZIP and WinRAR. Other “race members” lack consistency and stability on the archivers’ market. For example, ARJ product for DOS-platform tried to win the market offering free license for personal use, good compression rate, free codes, compressionless encoding, partitioning, etc. Though there was hardly any other free archiver with so user-friendly opportunities, but its console variant was growing outdated. RAR-creators worked out command framework a la "Norton commander". Approximately at that very moment appeared ACE which showed better compression than ARJ. But unfortunately the process took a great while and had numerous technical imperfections as well as new WinRAR framework. In the epoch of transition to the new WINDOWS-platform it was WinZIP who realized the benefits of it and worked out a number of versions for this platform. ARJ, ACE returned in a new environment. 7-ZIP appeared (is already loosing its stand), Power Archiver (is still in the top 10, but its leading position after the incredible breakthrough is in question).
It is surely not the end of the story of the legendary archivers.
Thus, it is quite difficult to decide which one is the best.
If you have to save some space and you are not pressed for time, and archives are not to be changed in the nearest future, then WinRAR is exactly for you. If you often compress much info, use your archives in other programs, update program support — WinZIP is the perfect choice for you.
As for me, I use WinZIP compressing all small files (50Kb.), file updating transference, since it’s quickly and easy to extract later. Excellent system and command frameworks integration makes these procedures quick and simple. As for the bigger files I’m sure to use WinRAR, though it takes more time.
It is up to you to make the choice! There is always an alternative since the number of file archiving programs is great: WinACE, WinUHA, 7-Zip, LZH, HA, ARC, ARJ, JAR, etc. Some programs show considerable promise for future (e.g. JAR, etc.).
As far as multimedia files are concerned, they can be compressed with the help of codecs or compressors, accommodated to work with a certain data type. We’ll talk about this next time.
Good Luck ;) ! LanceloT (R) & TasiK ;) !
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