Compression software will handle those files in a Zip

January 23, 2000

By JIM BROOKS

If you're a newcomer to the Internet, the chances are good that you're probably going to download a file or program from a Web site.

And the chances are good that -- depending on the file's original size -- it may had its size reduced by using one of several types of digital compression.

Compressing files does just what it says. In the early days of modems (when 300 baud was considered fast), file dowloads could take a very, very long time. Anything a user could do to reduce the size of a file would greatly improve the speed at which the file or program could be transfered over the Internet or phone line to another computer.

File compression has long been used to accomplish this goal of creating smaller files.

Once the compressed file is downloaded, the user extracts the original file -- or uncompresses it -- back to its original size.

File compression is extremely common these days, and a couple of formats have evolved for PC and Macintosh computers.

ZIP IT. For the PC, the ZIP format reigns supreme.

A file that is compressed using the ``Zip'' format is said to have been ``zipped.'' Conversely, if you uncompress a zipped file it is said to have been ``unzipped.''

For the past several years, the reigning software king of the zip format has been the ever-popular WinZip.

WinZip is the only compression utility program you'll ever need for your PC.

It zips and unzips all types of files that have been compressed in the popular Zip format. It also supports a wide variety of other compression formats that are found on the Internet, and even the popular ``.cab'' format used by Microsoft.

WinZip version 7 is the current one, but you can try their beta version of WinZip 8, which will boast of host of additional features to better integrate it into the Windows operating system.

For those folks with older PCs, WinZip is available for Windows 3.1.

For more information or to download an evaluation copy of WinZip, visit their Web site at www.winzip.com.

PKZIP. If you need a DOS program to Zip and UnZip files, the folks at PKWare still offer their PKZip/PKUnZip software.

PKZip/PKUnZip runs under DOS 3.0, so it's pretty universal. It's been updated to support long file names and four-digit dates -- both made necessary by newer versions of Windows and Y2k.

You can find PKWare's products as well as WinZip at the ZD Net software library at www.zdnet.com/downloads/.

MACINTOSH, TOO. Software downloads for the Apple Mac and iMac family of computers are also frequently compressed, using a couple of different formats.

StuffIt Deluxe, from Aladdin Systems, has been a longtime favorite for making big files smaller for Mac users.

After StuffIt Deluxe is installed on a Mac, uncompressing a file -- ``UnStuffing'' -- is an automatic operation after a file is downloaded. It's essentially a hands-off process.

Aladdin makes StuffIt format software for the PC, and offers a Zip-compatible compression program for the Macintosh.

Visit their Web site at www.aladdin.com for more information.

There are some other file compression formats for Macs and PCS -- binhex, MacBinary, RAR and others.

FILE FACTS. If you have a file that's compressed and don't know where to turn, your best bet is to try your luck online at your favorite search engine.

Enter the file type into the search engine's text field and see what you come up with. If the file is a valid compressed file, chances are you'll find out what program created it, and how to uncompress it.

And as always, if someone you don't know sent e-mailed you a file you weren't expecting, don't tempt fate and open it (read further).

WORD TO THE WISE. A co-worker was the unlucky recipient recently of the Happy99.exe virus.

The virus bounced around the Internet last year for a time, spreading itself automatically.

Happy99.exe really isn't a virus, it is a ``worm'' program that your computer uses every time it sends out an e-mail message or newsgroup posting.

Happy99.exe arrives as a file attachment you receive via e-mail or a newsgroup posting. If you open the attachment, a display of fireworks shows up on your screen -- and your computer is ``infected.''

Once your computer is ``infected'' by Happy99.exe, it will send itself to everyone you send e-mail to as an attachment without any warning to you.

Happy99.exe doesn't destroy files or physically harm your computer; it's a nuisance mostly. But it is one that needs to be cleansed from your computer should you have it.

Numerous sites on the Internet detail the steps to eliminate the Happy99.exe worm, and many of them have programs you can download at no cost that will perform the steps automatically for you.

For more information on computer viruses like Happy99.exe and others, visit www.getvirushelp.com. It's an easy-to-use site that offers detailed information on viruses new and old.

BLOCKBUSTER DEAL. For movie buffs, MGM's recently announced deal with Blockbuster may be a sign of the wave of the future.

This future may mean that MGM will become the first major studio to allow its films to be downloaded via the Internet, and the first to make its entire film library available for rental and download.

Blockbuster is creating a video-on-demand service for the new TiVo set-top digital video recorder boxes.

TiVo units allow users to record and save programs without the need for videotape.

MGM officials said they'll also make certain films available for download via the Blockbuster Web site -- a service that will become more attractive to consumers as broadband Internet access (through cable modems and DSL digital lines) becomes more widely available.

Blockbuster will have its first products aimed at the TiVo market later this year.

Other video rental firms will most likely have their own video-on-demand services too, so the TiVo set-top box is already showing signs of being the next must-have home entertainment appliance.

Comments and questions about this column may be sent to jbrooks@myoldkentuckyhome.com, or visit www.myoldkentuckyhome.com on the World Wide Web.

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