Why do I need it?

• To make file storage and file backup more efficient.
  File compression allows you to store and back up significantly more data, faster.
• To effectively post files on a web page for someone else to download or to send large documents as email attachments.
  Files can become corrupted when they are transferred over the Internet in an uncompressed format. Transfer time is lessened when files are compressed. File compression is often a necessity for sending large documents over the Internet as email attachments since most email systems limit the size of each email message. Often it is easier to compress multiple documents into one document to attach to an email message rather than attaching them one-by-one.
• To download and open files from a web page or from your email application that have been compressed.

What are the drawbacks?

Compressed files must be uncompressed to be opened. When using file compression to send email attachments, the recipient of the message must understand how the file was compressed and have the tools to uncompress the file.

Do I have compression software?

Mac OS X computers have a built-in file compression system that will archive files as zip files.

Windows XP computers distributed through the Boston College Computer Replacement program (BCCR) have WinZip software. WinZip archives files as zip files.

Windows Vista and 7 computers have a built-in file compression system that will archive files as zip files.

How do I compress/uncompress a file(s)?

WinZip | Windows 7 and Vista Compression Tool| Mac OS X Archiving

Email Attachment Compression

Boston College limits the size of email messages to 15 MB. This includes both the attachment and the text of the email message. Be aware that the recipient of your message may have a lower limit. If you need to send large document, you will need to compress the files first so that their size is within the limit.