7zip

[ZERO]

Wow this 7zip format really is amazing! So that you know, now a days I backup a log of server data via archives so that there is records of previous server data in case I need it. In addition I also now keep records of all the servers old log files so that I have a backup of the stats and server event data. This is important as the data needs to be deleted every year or the server will flip out. I used to use winrar but hearing about 7zip more and more I decided to give it a go. It compressed (the 2010 pub server logs) over 3GB of log files to 170MB. Now it did take about 12min to do that but more importantly is that I can extract it in about 2min. This is really helping me get this clean up work done. Doing disc clean up will take all night (yes manually in that I will be up all night doing this). This is to get the system ready for the new updates and to get everything fixed this week. :wtg:

So for those of you that have not I really suggest you give 7zip a try. If you backup a lot of txt files or game data in archives it is a lot better than .rar

[StarsMine]

Yea I prefer 7zip over winrar myself as its free and I dont really want to spend 20 bucks on winrar.
Only problem, its encryption isnt as strong as winrar http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/password-recovery-gpu,2945-3.html

[SCRIBBLE]

I've been using 7zip over winrar for a while. Winrar is too bulky and operates at a snail's pace compared to 7zip.

3gb to 170mb is pretty impressive though.

[Steamer]

I've been using 7-Zip for the past 4 years. Really great program. This thread has also reminded me to update it... lol :wtg:

Other methods of encryption are better than each of the apps posses anyway.

[Jeimuzu]

Been using 7zip for years. Can't believe you didn't know about it, Zero.

[ZERO]

I knew about it but I had been using winrar for like 10 years so when 7zip came out I just figured it was some open source alternative. Since then I realized that for particular types of backups the 7z format is much more efficient.

[ZERO]

OK here it is rar vs 7z

Original: 2.17GB (34,730files)
rar: 1.03GB
7z: 883MB

The 7z file also took less time to create.