FILE COMPRESSION Q. What are all these strange file ARC, ZIP, ZOO, LZH, SIT formats I find in CompuServe libraries? A. Many files on CompuServe are packaged in a special file format. This is done to: - reduce download time (and save online charges) - save disk storage space on CompuServe's computers - keep related files together (documentation with the executable programs) Q. Why so many formats? A. The original compression format was ARC (commonly called "archive") developed by System Enhancement Associates (SEA) and was oriented for DOS compatible computers. The other compression formats evolved as each developer found a faster, tighter solution to compressed files. ARC is available for most hardware platforms and all compressed files in the PRACTICE forum will use that format. (We know there are better formats, but have to use a format that is widely available!) Q. I downloaded a file that is in one of these strange compressed formats; I can't use the file. A. How to use compressed files is beyond the guidelines of the PRACTICE forum and even if it wasn't outside the guidelines, the Sysops of the PRACTICE forum aren't qualified to support all the various hardware configurations available. We'll try to give you some *general* information about compressed files before sending you to your support forum. Q. Do I need a file compression utility...or is it a de-compression utility? A. If the file extension is LZH, ZIP, ZOO, ARC, or SIT you will need a utility to take the compressed file and convert it into something your computer can use. This process is known as de-archiving, unzipping, unstuffing, etc. -- we will call this process de-compressing. Some hardware platforms support a special form of compressed files called "self extracting" or "self dissolving". You do not need a de- compression utility for this type of compressed file. Just download the file and then load/execute/launch the file; it will de-compress itself. Q. Do I need a different file compression (okay, de-compression!) utility for different compression types? A. Yes. Q. There are so many forums, libraries, and files on CompuServe -- where do I find the correct de-compression program for my machine? A. The following table was prepared April 21, 1993 and should help guide you to the appropriate forum, library, and file for the type of decompression utility for your hardware platform. Q. I can't find a file listed in this table. A. This file is updated approximately every 90 days. Some authors insist on using version numbers as a part of the file name (i.e. ARJ239.EXE) which means an updated file will cause this chart to become out-of-date. Post a message to SYSOP asking for assistance. Q. It looks like I need to have a decompression utility in order to extract another decompression utility. A. Unfortunately, some software authors upload their compression utilities using another compression format (i.e. WINZIP.ZIP requires the DOS PKUNZIP utility). This means you have to download two utilities! We recommend leaving a message to the program author expressing your dislike of this practice. This file was prepared by Ed Girou (Sysop of CompuServe's Practice and Help Forums) with Macintosh platform assistance from William Peagues (Sysop of the Play-By-Mail Games Forum) and Atari platform assistance from Keith Joins (Sysop of the Atari and CompuServe Help Forums). Amiga Machines -------------- LZH Format AmigaUser Forum (GO CIS:AMIGAU) Library 16 (Archivers/Crunchers) Files: LHARC.EXE (29184 bytes) and ARCHLP.EXE (19968 bytes) ZIP Format AmigaUser Forum (GO CIS:AMIGAU) Library 16 (Archivers/Crunchers) Files: UNZIP.LZH (81617 bytes) and ARCHLP.EXE (19968 bytes) ZOO Format AmigaUser Forum (GO CIS:AMIGAU) Library 16 (Archivers/Crunchers) Files: ZOO210.LZH (51624 bytes) and ARCHLP.EXE (19968 bytes) ARC Format AmigaUser Forum (GO CIS:AMIGAU) Library 16 (Archivers/Crunchers) Files: ARC.EXE (50432 bytes) and ARCHLP.EXE (19968 bytes) Special Downloading Instructions: With the Workbench in drive 0:, answer the CompuServe prompt "name for your computer" with: df0:c/LHARC or df0:c/ZIP or df0:c/ZOO or df0:c/ARC Apple 128K IIe or IIc Machines ------------------------------- ARC Format Apple User Forum (GO CIS:APPUSER) Library 4 (Utilities) File: DEARC2.BNY (37120 bytes) ZOO Format Apple User Forum (GO CIS:APPUSER) Library 4 (Utilities) File: BOOZ2E.BXY (19456 bytes) BNY Format Apple User Forum (GO CIS:APPUSER) Library 12 (Telecommunications) FILE: SHRINK.EXE (71936 bytes) Apple IIgs Machines ------------------- BNY Format Apple User Forum (GO CIS:APPUSER) Library 12 (Telecommunications) FILE: SHRINK.EXE (71936 bytes) ARC Format Apple User Forum (GO CIS:APPUSER) Library 12 (Telecommunications) FILE: SHRINK.EXE (71936 bytes) ZOO Format Apple User Forum (GO CIS:APPUSER) Library 12 (Telecommunications) FILE: SHRINK.EXE (71936 bytes) SIT Format Apple User Forum (GO CIS:APPUSER) Library 12 (Telecommunications) FILE: SHRINK.EXE (71936 bytes) Atari Machines -------------- LZH Format Atari Productivity Forum (GO CIS:ATARIP) Library 4 (Utility Programs) File: LHARC.TTP (44751 bytes) and ARCLZH.PRG (134549 bytes) ZIP Format Atari Productivity Forum (GO CIS:ATARIP) Library 4 (Utility Programs) File: STZIP2.TOS (123776 bytes) ZOO Format Atari Productivity Forum (GO CIS:ATARIP) Library 4 (Utility Programs) File: ZOO21.TTP (83328 bytes) ARC Format Atari Productivity Forum (GO CIS:ATARIP) Library 4 (Utility Programs) File: ARC602.TTP (66325 bytes) ARJ format Atari Productivity Forum (GO CIS:ATARIP) Library 4 (Utility Programs) File: STUNAR.ARC (11687 bytes) Atari 8-bit Machines -------------------- ARC Format Atari 8-Bit Forum (GO CIS:ATARI8) Library 3 (System Utilities) Files: UNARC.COM (10368 bytes) and SUPERA.ARC (32896 bytes) Commodore 8-bit Machines --------------------- ARC Format Commodore Art/Games Forum (GO CIS:CBMART) Library 1 (Help/Data Lib Tools) Files: ARC230.BIN (12800 bytes) and ARCEAZ.HLP (750 bytes) ARC Format Commodore Application Forum (GO CIS:CBMAPP) Library 1 (Help/Data Lib Tools) File: ARC230.BIN (12800 bytes) LBR Format Commodore Application Forum (GO CIS:CBMAPP) Library 1 (Help/Data Lib Tools) File: ARC230.BIN (12800 bytes) IBM-compatible machines running DOS ----------------------------------- CPT Format IBM Systems Forum (GO CIS:IBMSYS) Library 6 (File Utilities) File: EXTPC.EXE (33060 bytes) LZH Format IBM Systems Forum (GO CIS:IBMSYS) Library 6 (File Utilities) File: LHA213.EXE (44381 bytes) ZIP Format PC Vendor C Forum (GO CIS:PCVENC) Library 11 (PKWare) File: PK204G.EXE (202574 bytes) IBM Systems Forum (GO CIS:IBMSYS) Library 6 (File Utilities) File: PK204G.EXE (202574 bytes) ZOO Format IBM Systems Forum (GO CIS:IBMSYS) Library 6 (File Utilities) File: ZOO210.EXE (56360 bytes) ARC Format IBM Systems Forum (GO CIS:IBMSYS) Library 6 (File Utilities) Files: ARC-E.COM (7044 bytes) and ARC-E.DOC (12053 bytes) SIT Format IBM Systems Forum (GO CIS:IBMSYS) Library 6 (File Utilities) File: UNSTUF.ZIP (20911 bytes) PIT Format IBM Systems Forum (GO CIS:IBMSYS) Library 6 (File Utilities) File: UNPACK.ZIP (18965 bytes) ARJ Format IBM Systems Forum (GO CIS:IBMSYS) Library 6 (File Utilities) File: ARJ239.EXE (221184 bytes) IBM-compatible machines running Microsoft Windows ------------------------------------------------- ZIP Format IBM Sy...
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