Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

compress

Easy-to-use tool for handling compressed files

Thanks to its easy-to-use interface, this free file compression tool makes it a snap to unzip files.

The Extractor opens with a panel-style interface that is clear-cut enough for all users to understand. We especially liked the drag-and-drop functionality that let us quickly add ZIP and RAR files. We also like that the user specifies the output file. Once we clicked Go, the program instantly unzipped our file and placed the contents into our designated output folder. Our favorite feature was the Preset option that let us assign a preset task for each output folder after unzipping the file. The … Read more

Featured Freeware: PeaZip

Novice-friendly but with features for the expert and free archiving tools rarely cover all those bases, but PeaZip and PeaZip Portable hit back-to-back home runs.

Operating PeaZip is as easy as dragging files. Drop a ZIP file on the interface and PeaZip goes into decompression mode. Drop a regular file and it opens the archiving screen. Well-labeled buttons and simple functions make both processes quick and painless. Adding files and folders is also quickly accomplished using function buttons and traditional file browse tools.

Novice users will be able to use default settings to create well-made archives. Experienced users will like … Read more

Turn almost any app into a portable app

UPDATED: Clarified the end result of AppCompactor on a standard program.

When you gotta go, advanced users should strongly consider using AppCompactor to stay mobile. Just introduced by John T. Haller of PortableApps, this portable power user's right-hand man crushes program files, often shaving 50 percent off the size of a disk.

AppCompactor melds 7-Zip and UPX to compress and archive DLLs, EXEs, JARs, and other files essential for running any program into a package that doesn't need to be unarchived to run. Programs that have been compacted run smoothly from a flash drive or other on-the-go storage … Read more

Featured Freeware: Quick Zip

This file-compression tool offers all the bells and whistles required by power users, while keeping the program easy enough for novices. Quick Zip's button and pull-down menu helps users by ghosting unavailable commands until they're applicable. The multipane interface makes it easy to see files, folders, and archive properties. An extensive Help manual should give inexperienced users everything needed to be program power users.

Numerous options and methods to use this application means a steep learning curve for those who want to master every feature. However, operating Quick Zip can be as easy as dragging files to the … Read more

Yahoo tool helps Web programmers shrink images

Yahoo, which has considerable expertise in maximizing Web site performance, has long offered advice on how to speed up sites up by minimizing photo size. Now it's released a tool to help Web programmers automate the process.

The Web-based tool, called Smush It, can perform multiple operations to shrink graphics file sizes without impairing visual appeal, Chris Heilmann of the Yahoo Developer Network said in a blog post after tool creators Nicole Sullivan and Stoyan Stefanov announced the tool at this week's Ajax Experience conference.

Among the things Smush It can do: convert GIF images to the PNG … Read more

Featured Freeware: ALZip

If you're looking for one tool that can handle a myriad of compression methods, from RAR and ZIP to TAR and TGZ and nearly 30 other formats, ALZip just might be for you. In fact, archive format support is ALZip's forte. It'll even open ISO and other CD images. All the usual archive application options are here, as well: context menu additions, password protections, virus scanner integration, and assistance in creating self-extracting archives.

The interface looks modern and is well-designed, with archive contents displayed as icons, in a list, or in a detailed spreadsheet-style grid. There are … Read more

WinZip 12 adds lossless JPEG compression

Although it's ancient in Internet years, WinZip is still up and kicking. Among the various improvements and tweaks, the latest upgrade to Version 12 includes one massive reinvigorating feature: the WinZip folks have figured out how to compress JPEGs without sacrificing image quality.

The details on exactly how this is done remain a secret for now, although WinZip has promised to open up its compression algorithms as they've done in the past. On the user end of things, this means that ZIP files containing JPEGs will be more than just bundles of your photos--the archives will actually be … Read more

Compressed-air storage coming to wind power

A New Jersey company said on Tuesday it will invest $20 million over three years to develop an underground compressed-air storage system for wind turbines and other power sources, a sign of growing confidence in the technology.

Energy Storage and Power is a joint ventured formed by energy developer PSEG Global and Michael Nakhamkin, who designed the only compressed air-storage facility in the U.S.

With Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES), air is pumped into underground formations, such as depleted natural gas wells or salt caverns, using a natural gas-powered machine. The pressured air is released later to drive a … Read more

Featured Freeware: 7-Zip

It's easy for Windows users to forget that WinZip isn't the only file-compression utility in the world, nor is WinRAR its only replacement. Like its better-known competitors, the free 7-Zip unpacks a host of archive formats, including ZIP, TAR, GZ, and its own 7Z format. Unlike the competition, though, it can create TAR and GZ archives, which are commonly used on Unix and Linux systems. Even though it's small, there's an even smaller portable version, too.

The program's ability to shrink files was stunning. 7Z archives tested up to 40 percent smaller then their ZIP … Read more