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Greetings,
I'm finally embarking on my long-delayed new HD installation, along with a total re-installation of operating systems & all software.
I realized recently I've been using a 4-year old version of WinRAR. Not really many problems with it, but updating to a more recent version after getting the new installs going would make some sense. Unfortunately, recent versions of WinZIP and WinRAR, both of which I have used in the past, have become commercial programs. I suppose I use such a program enough to justify paying something for it, but at the moment the budget just doesn't allow such an expenditure, especially if there are still free alternatives out there.
I did a search for 'free compression utilities' and just downloaded the most recent version of ZipGenius and a couple of other freebies, but haven't tried them yet. Then, it occurred to me to get some feedback/guidance by asking what people here prefer.
So, how about it -- what's your favorite compression utility(ies)?
All replies are appreciated.
Regards,
Dako-ta
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I use both WinZip and WinRAR. The nag screen for using them beyond the free trial period doesn't bother me.
As for really free comprsssion software, check out 7-Zip. It's open source and handles both ZIP and RAR archives.
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Also consider bzip2, which is traditionally built from source. To do this, you'll need an ANSI C compiler. For that, I recommend MinGW (assuming you're still a Windows user after your reinstall). However, if you don't mind using a slightly outdated version, you can get a precompiled binary for Windows.
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Zip Genius is another good one.
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[vL]Kp,Jun 24 2005, 10:05 PM Wrote:Also consider bzip2, which is traditionally built from source. To do this, you'll need an ANSI C compiler. For that, I recommend MinGW (assuming you're still a Windows user after your reinstall). However, if you don't mind using a slightly outdated version, you can get a precompiled binary for Windows.
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I wouldn't wish building from source on anyone who doesn't already have the software required for it :P
Building Firefox from source, for instance, is a nightmare if you're only used to Visual Studio projects.
Trade yourself in for the perfect one. No one needs to know that you feel you've been ruined!
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Oh man, I think I am WAY over my 21 day free trial for WinZip :(
![[Image: winzip5ty.gif]](http://img131.echo.cx/img131/4515/winzip5ty.gif)
I actually feel a bit bad about this, considering how much trouble-free usage I get from this program. I guess it's time to look into the free ones to ease my conscience.
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Dako-ta,Jun 24 2005, 05:33 PM Wrote:So, how about it -- what's your favorite compression utility(ies)?
[right][snapback]81594[/snapback][/right]
On Windows I use 7-Zip.
It's free and open source, and handles pretty much any compression format that's out there. I have noticed that zip downloads direct from CTMod's site don't seem to extract right -- might be time to upgrade my version.
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DeeBye,Jun 24 2005, 07:08 PM Wrote:Oh man, I think I am WAY over my 21 day free trial for WinZip :(
I actually feel a bit bad about this, considering how much trouble-free usage I get from this program. I guess it's time to look into the free ones to ease my conscience.
[right][snapback]81615[/snapback][/right]
Hahaha, isn't that awesome? My 60 day paintshop demo just ran out- after four years.
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vor_lord,Jun 25 2005, 03:22 AM Wrote:On Windows I use 7-Zip.
It's free and open source, and handles pretty much any compression format that's out there. I have noticed that zip downloads direct from CTMod's site don't seem to extract right -- might be time to upgrade my version.
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How are you downloading from CTMod's site? If you do a custom setup, they have a script generator make the .zip file, and I know at least the dates all get corrupted if that happens.
Trade yourself in for the perfect one. No one needs to know that you feel you've been ruined!
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Hi, DeeBye,
DeeBye,Jun 25 2005, 03:08 AM Wrote:Oh man, I think I am WAY over my 21 day free trial for WinZip :(
I actually feel a bit bad about this, considering how much trouble-free usage I get from this program. I guess it's time to look into the free ones to ease my conscience.
[right][snapback]81615[/snapback][/right]
Yeah, I think when I quit using WinZip, I had about that much logged time, too. :) I didn't realize that they still just had the nag screen; from something I had read, I thought with recent versions, it was a 'real' 30-day trial. And, IIRC, when I started using WinRar, it was totally free. I don't know how recent versions handle the after-trial period, maybe it isn't really a problem, but if there are equally capable, totally-free alternatives, it seems worth exploring them.
I had already downloaded ZipGenius, and had checked out bzip (I think I might have tried to download one of the compiled versions, but ran into problems, so didn't pursue it farther).
I had found plugs on the net for EasyZip and gzip, but 7Zip is new to me and sounds good, I plan to try that one out.
So, it sounds like I should be able to find a totally-free capable alternative.
Many thanks to all those who responded.
Regards,
Dako-ta
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Dako-ta,Jun 25 2005, 01:33 PM Wrote:So, how about it -- what's your favorite compression utility(ies)?
[right][snapback]81594[/snapback][/right] WinZip
WinRAR
PGP (Particularly for files sent outside of the company Network)
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Quark,Jun 26 2005, 05:36 AM Wrote:How are you downloading from CTMod's site? If you do a custom setup, they have a script generator make the .zip file, and I know at least the dates all get corrupted if that happens.
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I can't exactly recall what I did the two times I've done so. Since I'm not doing any raids any more and Mass Mail hasn't needed an upgrade it's been a while since I've been there.
All I know is that the zip files wouldn't extract with 7-zip, but did with the built-in windows tool.
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7-zip works fine for zip files, and rar files. If you were unable to extract zip files with it, you might want to go get the most recent build, which came out less than a month ago.
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.p...lease_id=331011
Free, and you are welcome to make any changes to it.
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