zip (was: Re: Disk archival techniques)

[Vintage Computer Festival]

On Wed, 18 May 2005, Randy McLaughlin wrote:

> Lately I've been using self-extracting zip files.  The reason is that just
> by renaming the file from *.exe to *.zip most decompressors handle it just
> fine and for 99% of the people it includes the software to decompress it.

Assuming you have a working PC or emulator to run it.

> By posting exe files I've gotten questions talking about trojan horses, or
> they aren't running windows.  I always say no matter what archive you
> download always have anti-virus software running plus all you have to do is
> rename the file to use it on most decompressors (yes it is also mentioned at
> the bottom of the download pages).

Anti-virus software, when it works at all, doesn't work against a trojan
horse.

> You can not plan on what is the next best archival tool and you can't
> please everyone. Use what you have and try to make it so most people can
> handle it one way or another.

My suggestion is to stay away from proprietary compressed binary formats.

-- 

Sellam Ismail                                        Vintage Computer Festival
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