Zipping files

This column does not have a single author, but is submitted by a number of experts that contribute regularly to our news source.  Some are in Canada, some in the UK and one is in the far east

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We receive hundreds of attachments via email from various sources, but almost none of them are zipped. Since zipped files have so many advantages, we wonder why?

 What is a zipped file?

A zipped file is compressed and saves up to 80% of the space occupied by an unzipped normal file, if the file is not an already compressed format like jpg files.

There are many advantages to zipping.  Here are some:

• You can send folders via popular mail clients as zipped files.  Otherwise you have to attach individual files one at a time.  If they are already in  a folder and you want to send everything in the folder, just zip it and send it.
• The resulting file will appear with a .zip extension.
• The best files to zip are those that have high text content.  They will be compressed the most.
• If you are sending jpg files they won't be compressed much, but it's still handy to send an entire folder at once.  Like a folder filled with pictures of recent sunsets or a set of chapters to a family history that you are writing.
• Zipping a file or folder for archiving it, is also good because it is easy to do and efficient.

28/11/2009 05:38 PM

How do you Zip?

Windows has an easy to use method.  Just highlight the folder or file and right click the mouse.  You'll see a selection that says 'Send to'.  This in turn leads you to some options like 'Compress to a Folder' 

That's all there is to it.  Your folder will have a zipper on it and an extension of .zip You're ready to leave it alone, move it or email it.

There is a similar facility on the MAC called Create Archive.

When you receive a zip file from a source you trust, then click it and it will uncompress showing you the contents.  They are ready for you to use.

It is very surprising that more email is not sent in zipped format.  The format and facility have been around since 1986.  It's about time we use it.