How to Decide Which Compression Format to Use With PKZip

The compression format you choose depends on your purpose for compressing files. This eHow describes compression formats and their uses for PKZip 2.7 for Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• PKZip Software

1. Create a zip file (.zip extension) if you are backing up (archiving) files or if you are sending files to someone. If you are sending the zip file, make sure the recipient can decompress your zip file.

2. Create a self-extracting zip file if you are sending files to someone who does not have the software to decompress your zip file. Self-extracting zip files include decompression software within the file. The person receiving your file can just double-click the zip file and it will automatically decompress.

3. Create a self-extracting zip file if you are compressing files for software distribution. You will need to purchase a distribution license from PKWARE. The licensed copy contains extra options, such as the patch function. This function enables you to distribute software updates to your customers.

Tips & Warnings

• PKZip is available as shareware for Windows, DOS, command-line (Windows 9x/NT), OS/2, and UNIX. It is not available for Macintosh.
• The PKZip shareware version can create self-extracting files for Windows 16-bit systems only. The PKZip registered version can create self-extracting files for Windows 32-bit systems (Windows 95 and 98).
• PKZip provides different compression methods (from super fast to extra). The "super fast" method provides minimal compression and is ideal if you're in a hurry but still need to compress and/or combine the files into a single file. The "extra" method provides maximum compression and is the best choice if you have very large files that need to fit in limited disk space (such as a floppy disk).