Author Topic: Best file archiver/compresser (Read 51553 times)

yksyks · « **Reply #50 on:** March 18, 2010, 03:37 AM »

Rar is indeed the archiver of choice for software pirates.
-Innuendo (March 17, 2010, 08:01 PM)

I was unaware of this... I wonder why?
-Darwin (March 17, 2010, 11:20 PM)

The reason is probably the RAR's option to encrypt not only the contents, but also the folder structure and filenames, so without the password you can't see anything. In an encrypted ZIP archive you can see the filenames inside, although you can't decrypt them. This might be an important option not only for software pirates.

Innuendo · « **Reply #51 on:** March 18, 2010, 09:35 AM »

I was unaware of this... I wonder why?
-Darwin (March 17, 2010, 11:20 PM)

You haven't heard? WinRAR really whips the llama's ass.

No, but seriously...RAR became the standard way back in the day before everyone had a high-speed internet connection. Having a high-speed connection in your home was unheard of. That is, if you had even heard of the internet at all. High-speed connections were reserved for business or, if you were lucky, you were a college student who had access to the university's connection.

Back then ZIP and RAR were roughly equivalent, but where RAR pulled ahead by a large margin was error recovery. When you were on dial-up and and downloading that hot state-of-the art game (that shipped on 6 floppy disks!

) the game was always broke down into multi-archives with one part comprising each disk. With ZIP if one of those parts were compromised during the download due to transmission errors you were stuck re-downloading the entire part again which took a long time. The key feature that ensured RAR's success with the pirate crowd was the recovery records feature. RAR could almost always repair the files saving a lengthy repeat download.

edbro · « **Reply #52 on:** March 18, 2010, 10:32 AM »

I've used Winrar for ages, and not just because of compression ratios. I just like Winrar's interface and configurable context menu. I also like the multiple formats it handles. With a lifetime license, I see no need to change.

With a terabyte hd costing under $100 and broadband connections ubiquitous, I don't even look at the compression ratio. I'm not that worried about a few bytes, although, I'd wager that rar is one of the better formats for compression ratios.

Innuendo · « **Reply #53 on:** March 18, 2010, 02:53 PM »

I've used Winrar for ages, and not just because of compression ratios. I just like Winrar's interface and configurable context menu. I also like the multiple formats it handles. With a lifetime license, I see no need to change.
-edbro (March 18, 2010, 10:32 AM)

I won a free license for WinRAR here on DC (I think everyone else that month were gunning for the glamorous, glitzy programs) & while that's a lifetime license I still opened my wallet and paid for PowerArchiver Pro. With the Windows 7 integration, modern ribbon GUI interface, quick file preview, etc. it just makes every other archiver on the market seem primitive by comparison.

(Of course it didn't hurt that I bought PA Pro on sale, either, and the PA licenses are lifetime as well.)

Target · « **Reply #54 on:** March 18, 2010, 05:36 PM »

Doh! Why didn't I think of that
-Darwin (March 18, 2010, 01:41 AM)

I think you might be pulling my (arrrr...wooden?) leg...
-Target (March 18, 2010, 01:56 AM)

So you decided to stick around, ha? You must have BALZ
-PhilB66 (March 18, 2010, 03:19 AM)

stick? STICK!! enough with the wooden leg jokes already...

Darwin · « **Reply #55 on:** March 18, 2010, 05:46 PM »

Heh, heh - I won a WinRar license here as well

It supplanted PKZip and Stuff-It licenses, both of which I had purchased previously. I'll have to give PowerArchiver a look.

A hex on you, Innunendo! You make a rotten 12 step program partner

Tuxman · « **Reply #56 on:** March 18, 2010, 05:49 PM »

With the Windows 7 integration, modern ribbon GUI interface, quick file preview, etc. it just makes every other archiver on the market seem primitive by comparison.
-Innuendo (March 18, 2010, 02:53 PM)

Hmm, PA was fine while it was free. Anyway, ribbons for an archiver? So how many functions do you need in an archiver's toolbar?

cranioscopical · « **Reply #57 on:** March 18, 2010, 06:06 PM »

stick? STICK!! enough with the wooden leg jokes already...
-Target (March 18, 2010, 05:36 PM)

You need to be taken down a peg or two!

Target · « **Reply #58 on:** March 18, 2010, 06:14 PM »

stick around, ha? You must have BALZ
-Target (March 18, 2010, 05:36 PM)

stick? STICK!! enough with the wooden leg jokes already...
-cranioscopical (March 18, 2010, 06:06 PM)

You need to be taken down a peg or two!

Belay that...

Lashiec · « **Reply #59 on:** March 18, 2010, 06:46 PM »

Hmm, PA was fine while it was free. Anyway, ribbons for an archiver? So how many functions do you need in an archiver's toolbar?
-Tuxman (March 18, 2010, 05:49 PM)

Looking at some of the newer features in PowerArchiver, a lot. I mean, it's slowly becoming Nero. Literally

Tuxman · « **Reply #60 on:** March 18, 2010, 06:50 PM »

Hm, it can't cut video files yet.

Innuendo · « **Reply #61 on:** March 18, 2010, 07:23 PM »

Looking at some of the newer features in PowerArchiver, a lot. I mean, it's slowly becoming Nero. Literally
-Lashiec (March 18, 2010, 06:46 PM)

I thought so at first, too, but I really use a lot of those features. Of course, if you don't need all the Pro features you can always use the Standard version.

cranioscopical · « **Reply #62 on:** March 18, 2010, 08:21 PM »

Belay that...
-Target (March 18, 2010, 06:14 PM)

Hop it!

Target · « **Reply #63 on:** March 18, 2010, 08:47 PM »

Belay that...
-Target (March 18, 2010, 06:14 PM)
Hop it!
-cranioscopical (March 18, 2010, 08:21 PM)

HA, is that the best you got?

As the scourge of DCea's I thought you would have tied me in knots over that one...

cranioscopical · « **Reply #64 on:** March 18, 2010, 09:12 PM »

scourge of DCea's I thought you would have tied me in knots
-Target (March 18, 2010, 08:47 PM)

I've been roped in once again to correct you, if I can get you to come off abridge.

Target · « **Reply #65 on:** March 18, 2010, 09:30 PM »

scourge of DCea's I thought you would have tied me in knots
-Target (March 18, 2010, 08:47 PM)
I've been roped in once again to correct you, if I can get you to come off abridge.
-cranioscopical (March 18, 2010, 09:12 PM)

Don't make me stern with you - this thread is in danger of running aground, and it'll be on your shoalders..

cranioscopical · « **Reply #66 on:** March 19, 2010, 12:06 PM »

Don't make me stern with you - this thread is in danger of running aground, and it'll be on your shoalders..
-Target (March 18, 2010, 09:30 PM)

I'd reefer you to my shallow draught which allows me to squaff at your admonishment and take a bow.

Target · « **Reply #67 on:** March 21, 2010, 06:53 PM »

Don't make me stern with you - this thread is in danger of running aground, and it'll be on your shoalders..
-Target (March 18, 2010, 09:30 PM)
I'd reefer you to my shallow draught which allows me to squaff at your admonishment and take a bow.
-cranioscopical (March 19, 2010, 12:06 PM)

don't make me luff...

cranioscopical · « **Reply #68 on:** March 21, 2010, 09:03 PM »

don't make me luff...
-Target (March 21, 2010, 06:53 PM)

Get aweigh, how could that come about?

Target · « **Reply #69 on:** March 21, 2010, 10:01 PM »

don't make me luff...
-Target (March 21, 2010, 06:53 PM)
Get aweigh, how could that come about?
-cranioscopical (March 21, 2010, 09:03 PM)

I deliberately took that tack, in order to broach a response.

now I'm swamped but any minute now I'm going to give you a broadside

cranioscopical · « **Reply #70 on:** March 22, 2010, 08:10 AM »

Don' say no more, I've put up with enough of this sheet!
Wanna keep sparring? You'll soon be in a shroud!

nosh · « **Reply #71 on:** March 22, 2010, 11:05 AM »

I'm seo sick of this thread! :p

Stoic Joker · « **Reply #72 on:** March 23, 2010, 06:41 AM »

Ask not why song the sirens fling...