[Geek] Compression utility

[dancefloorlandmine]

We've got people currently using .zip utilities to compress files. However, we've also had a problem with at least one .zip archive corrupting, which is, technically at least, referred to as "a bugger". What, in the collected opinion of those who intermittently browse these tedious pages, is the best compression software, taking into account cost, compression performance, reliability, and recoverability/tendency to corrupt. Oh, and ease of use ...

Cheers, all!

Comments

Zippyness :)

[gaxx.livejournal.com]

The format? .zip without a doubt. Why?

• Pretty much all of the general-purpose compression formats are pretty much on a par for compression-ratio and speed.


• .zip is, by a very long way, the most prevalent format for the PC


• There are plenty of free tools for .zip as well as free libraries for codies to write stuff

Util to work with it? I go for ZipGenius - easy, free and realatively reliable.

Corruption? Unfortunately files will corrupt from time to time. The more compressed they are the more likely that corruption is to do something nasty (I haven't thought that one through thoroughly but I think I'm right). The only real defence is proper backups :)