Computer Bytes - No. 55
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Zip Files can be a valuable tool in managing and storing information, if you know how to use them. The definition of a zip file is a file that has been compressed by using a special program resulting in the file being given the extension of .zip.
When compressing a file or group of files, three things are accomplished: (1) one or more files are bundled into a single holding file; (2) holding files can be compressed to as much as 90% smaller than the original files; and (3) you have the option of password protecting the file's content.
One of the benefits of compressed or zipped files is that they allow you to keep related files together making the downloading, emailing, storing or transporting of files and data easier and more efficient. Other uses may include sending a group of related files to a business associate or compressing seldom used but important files into one file and then 'unzipping' them when needed resulting in saving space on the hard disk drive.
If you have ever downloaded a file or program from the Internet, you may have done so as a zipped file, making the unzipping or extraction of the file/program necessary before it can be used. A good virus program should be installed on the computer and you should be confident of the sender or provider of a zipped file before extracting the contents because zipped files may contain viruses.
Zipping a file is accomplished through using a dedicated compression utility program. If you find yourself needing a Zip Program, one of the more recognized names is WinZip. WinZip has many, easy to use drag and drop features and comes with a Wizard for first time or occasional users. Other features are the ability to split files to overcome email size limits; to view, run and unzip individual files; and to encrypt files restricting use to only those with the password.
For Apple users, there is built-in Zip support in Mac OS X 10.3. If you have Windows, you probably already have a program in your computer to zip/unzip files. To unzip a file using Windows, right click on the zipped file - a Wizard program will open allowing you to follow the prompts to extract the file and place it in a folder.
If you want to Zip a file using Windows, select the file or files to zip (hold down the Shift key to select multiple files), right-click the mouse over the highlighted files and select 'Send To' > 'Zip File'. This will create a zipped file in the same folder as the original file(s). You can view the folder with the zipped file through 'My Computer' by looking in the C drive and then the appropriate program, or by going directly to the program where it was created. To view the zipped file using its program, go to the 'File' icon and select 'Open'. A menu box will appear on screen. At the bottom of this box you will see 'Files of Type'; select 'All Files'. If you do not do this, you will not be able to see the zipped file. You can then copy the zipped file to another computer, email it, or save it to a CD.
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Copyright 2007-2008. All rights reserved. Computer Bytes articles may not be reprinted, published, quoted, copied, or used in any manner whatsoever without the expressed written permission of David Moncrief.
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