Whims and Wonders at PC4PEOPLE

I often get questions regarding how to get multiple files through via Email or how to archive files for the file backups that I know you are all doing on a regular basis. So here is the first part of the primer:

What’s a Zip File?

Zipping is a compacted version of a file. It is significantly smaller than the original file.. For example, if you zip a Word document called ZipThis.doc that is 2.6MB, the resulting .zip file would be .9MB. Some files zip better than others, especially text-type file types, such as .txt, .doc, .xls. Often, graphics files that use non-compressed file types such as .bmp may also become much smaller by zipping.

Why should I .zip a file?

-You save storage space. Zipping large files can save up to 80 percent or more in hard disk space.
-Smaller file size drastically reduces e-mail transmission time.
-The smaller file size of e-mail messages that you want to keep is useful when your mailbox has a space limit.
-Many zip utilities allow you to encrypt files and protect sensitive data, especially when you send it in e-mail.
-You can send and receive e-mail attachments, such as .exe files, that would otherwise be blocked by most Email programs for security reasons.
- Some graphic files, such as .jpg and .gif files, already use compression, so they don’t get much smaller by zipping. There are still benefits to compressing these anyway. Some Email programs will block these pictures. Also, if you have multiple pictures or images to send, it is often polite to put them in one file for your audience.

Next week: So How do I make one of these fancy .zip files anyway?