djb@wjh12.harvard.edu (David J. Birnbaum) (08/09/88)
This is a summary of the replies to an earlier posting, in which I inquired about methods for compressing files to speed transfers between a PC running MS-DOS and a VAX. I am grateful to the several people who responded; I tried to thank everyone individually by email, but some letters came back as undeliverable - sorry. There are two basic approaches: ARC and COMPRESS. ARC 5.21 is a common MS-DOS compression and archiving program. A UNIX version is available by ftp from CCVAX1.NCSU.EDU (logon as 'public'), where it is NEWARC.Z in volume 11 (Unix), subvolume 5. ARC does not compress as tightly as COMPRESS, but it is a convenient way of compressing several files in a single archive file. COMPRESS is available in two versions for MS-DOS; both of these are apparently available from SIMTEL20.ARPA by ftp. UNIX COMPRESS defaults to 16 bit compression; the MS-DOS 16 bit COMPRESS requires over 500K free memory. The second MS-DOS compress is a 12 bit version, which will run in machines with less memory. To compress files in UNIX for later decompression with 12 bit MS-DOS compress, use the -b 12 switch on the UNIX end. There is a commercial product called MKS Toolkit (by Mortice Kern Systems), which includes several UNIX type features for MS-DOS, including COMPRESS. Finally, I am grateful to the people who emailed executable COMPRESS programs for MS-DOS. David J. Birnbaum (djb@wjh12.harvard.edu [Internet] - djb@harvunxw.bitnet [Bitnet])
msmith@topaz.rutgers.edu (Mark Robert Smith) (08/09/88)
In article <276@wjh12.harvard.edu> djb@wjh12.harvard.edu (David J. Birnbaum) writes: > ARC 5.21 is a common > MS-DOS compression and archiving program. > David J. Birnbaum I would recommend against ARC 5.21, as it is the version put out by SEA, and their belligerent attitude toward competition and quick use of litigation to fight a superior product shows us that they are greedy, and I wouldn't be surprised if they began suing for unregistered copies. As an alternative, I suggest PKPAK and PKUNPAK, available packaged as PK361.EXE. These utilities are very fast, and are compatible with ARC 5.21 when PKPAK is invoked with the -oct option. There is no change needed for PKUNPAK to make it compatible. With the -oct option, PKPAK will be compatible with UNIX ARC programs. Disclaimer: Neither PKWare, Inc or SEA, Inc, have ever spoken or written to me personally, and the criticism/support above is solely my opinion. Mark -- Mark Smith (alias Smitty) "Be careful when looking into the distance, 61 Tenafly Road that you do not miss what is right under your nose." Tenafly, NJ 07670 {backbone}!rutgers!topaz.rutgers.edu!msmith msmith@topaz.rutgers.edu Bill and Opus in '88!!!