Winzip or 7Zip

Slasher · Thu 20/09/2018 15:26:58

Simple question

Winzip or 7Zip:

Matti · Thu 20/09/2018 16:39:34

I'm using 7-Zip for a decade or so. It's free and it compresses to .zip-format like Winzip, but at a better ratio. The compression rate of 7z-files is even better but you need to have 7-Zip installed to unzip those.

Cassiebsg · Thu 20/09/2018 18:16:58

Yeah, I hate 7zip, cause I need to open it to unpack the files. $:-\$ With zip I can just "drag and drop" the files/folder where I want them.

CaptainD · Thu 20/09/2018 18:21:51

I vote for 7-Zip! Like Matti, I've been using it for years.

Also Cassie you don't actually need to open it, you can right-click on a zip file and select various options from the 7-Zip menu that pops up just underneath "Extract All"... but it *IS* one more mouse-click to select that option. Save your fingers, they're precious!

Cassiebsg · Thu 20/09/2018 21:33:52

I use TotalCommander... unless 7Zip can be integrated in it, it's one more pain to extract than just normal zip or rar files.

RickJ · Thu 20/09/2018 22:21:51

I use 7-Zip. It integrates right into windows explorer and is only a right click away.

Babar · Thu 20/09/2018 22:30:13

pkunzip is the best

Stupot · Thu 20/09/2018 23:23:42

I pretty much only use WinRAR. Have I been doing life wrong?

CaptainD · Fri 21/09/2018 08:25:16

Quote from: Stupot on Thu 20/09/2018 23:23:42
I pretty much only use WinRAR. Have I been doing life wrong?

It's not for any of us to criticise your life choices mate.

TheFrighter · Fri 21/09/2018 11:55:31

Quote from: Babar on Thu 20/09/2018 22:30:13
pkunzip is the best

Why, Babar?

_

Khris · Fri 21/09/2018 11:57:54

I really like 7zip because it lets you customize the explorer menu. And you can extract into a new folder in the current folder from said menu. Perfect.

Matti · Fri 21/09/2018 13:01:22

Quote from: Khris on Fri 21/09/2018 11:57:54
And you can extract into a new folder in the current folder from said menu. Perfect.

Yep! I use that all the time.

Slasher · Fri 21/09/2018 13:40:56

How universal is 7Zip regarding people being able to open and extract a game?

Crimson Wizard · Fri 21/09/2018 13:52:03

Quote from: Slasher on Fri 21/09/2018 13:40:56
How universal is 7Zip regarding people being able to open and extract a game?

7Zip is a program, but this program may create both zip and 7z archives. You can use 7Zip to make zips too and everyone will be able to open them.

Cassiebsg · Fri 21/09/2018 13:53:44

I haven't had any problem opening a 7zip file, besides the extra annoyance of extra clicks.
But I normally don't have any problem opening zip or rar files either (as long as they are complete and not broken, that is).

Monsieur OUXX · Fri 21/09/2018 15:49:21

Quote from: Slasher on Fri 21/09/2018 13:40:56
How universal is 7Zip regarding people being able to open and extract a game?

"computer-savvy" people (broad term) will know exactly what to do. For the others, I'd say 70% of the people using computers casually, it will be a nightmare and they will be angry at you for doing weird things that only a perverted weirdo nerd like yourself would do, just the same way your parents suspect you to "have installed a virus" the day you updated their printer's drivers.

Khris · Fri 21/09/2018 18:41:07

But, luckily all of that is irrelevant since we can just create self-extracting archives.

selmiak · Sat 22/09/2018 09:59:48

Quote from: Crimson Wizard on Fri 21/09/2018 13:52:03
Quote from: Slasher on Fri 21/09/2018 13:40:56
How universal is 7Zip regarding people being able to open and extract a game?

7Zip is a program, but this program may create both zip and 7z archives. You can use 7Zip to make zips too and everyone will be able to open them.

this. 7zip to unpack everything, but when packing a game I use .zip rather than .7z (out of 7zip though) as more people have some unzipper installed on windows as default.

Cassiebsg · Sat 22/09/2018 10:14:48

I thank you, selmiak for doing that.

eri0o · Sat 29/09/2018 03:13:59

I use 7zip for .zip files on windows but I use .tar.gz files for Linux because it's the zip like file format that I know preserves the executable bits and permissions. This is why most source code websites offer both in the download area.

Slasher · Sat 29/09/2018 08:31:08

I've downloaded 7zip and it seems to work well enough.. so far..

Ponch · Sat 29/09/2018 21:58:28

LBR is the one true compression format

Danvzare · Mon 01/10/2018 13:12:40

I remember this one compression software that had a ridiculous amount of compression ratio. Usually more than halfing the file size. It was also all self-contained. You would double click on a .bat file I think, which would then start the self-extraction process.
I could probably find the name of it if I looked for it. Not that I'm recommending it. It's just that I'm still impressed by how compressed it could get things.
And Ponch's comment reminded me of it.

Crimson Wizard · Mon 01/10/2018 13:24:11

Quote from: Danvzare on Mon 01/10/2018 13:12:40
I remember this one compression software that had a ridiculous amount of compression ratio. Usually more than halfing the file size.

Compression rate also largely depends on the file contents. Files with lots of repeating data patterns are compressed most.
For example, for internal reasons AGS savegames contain a big chunk of data per room which is often unused and remains in default state. As number of visited rooms grow saves become really large but very small when compressed. I recall compressing 2+ GB of "The Cat Lady" saves into something like 10 MB regular zip archive.

Danvzare · Mon 01/10/2018 13:57:04

Quote from: Crimson Wizard on Mon 01/10/2018 13:24:11
Quote from: Danvzare on Mon 01/10/2018 13:12:40
I remember this one compression software that had a ridiculous amount of compression ratio. Usually more than halfing the file size.

Compression rate also largely depends on the file contents. Files with lots of repeating data patterns are compressed most.
For example, for internal reasons AGS savegames contain a big chunk of data per room which is often unused and remains in default state. As number of visited rooms grow saves become really large but very small when compressed. I recall compressing 2+ GB of "The Cat Lady" saves into something like 10 MB regular zip archive.

Alright, I want you to imagine for a moment you see two downloads for a game. One is 2gb, the other is 800mb. The 2gb download is in a WinRar, that when uncompressed is probably just over 3.5gb. The 800mb one has a bunch of other files including a .bat file. Naturally you think the 800mb one is fake. But it isn't. It's the full 3.5gb game, compressed with an incredible compression program that claims it's still in its alpha stage.
THAT is what I'm talking about.

A quick look has found me something called "Maximum Compression", I'm not sure if that's the program I'm thinking about. But it looks like it could be. I'd honestly have to download it and try it out to be sure.

Gurok · Mon 01/10/2018 15:54:43

That sounds like NanoZip or PAQ8

Adeel · Mon 01/10/2018 16:43:32

Quote from: Danvzare on Mon 01/10/2018 13:57:04
Alright, I want you to imagine for a moment you see two downloads for a game. One is 2gb, the other is 800mb. The 2gb download is in a WinRar, that when uncompressed is probably just over 3.5gb. The 800mb one has a bunch of other files including a .bat file. Naturally you think the 800mb one is fake. But it isn't. It's the full 3.5gb game, compressed with an incredible compression program that claims it's still in its alpha stage.
THAT is what I'm talking about.

A quick look has found me something called "Maximum Compression", I'm not sure if that's the program I'm thinking about. But it looks like it could be. I'd honestly have to download it and try it out to be sure.

You're talking about UHARC.

E: I should mention that the program itself isn't 'self-contained', as you're recalling. Those were actually self-extracting archives created using UHARC.