Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!usc!sdsu!crash!pro-graphics.cts.com!elund
From: elund@pro-graphics.cts.com (Eric Lund)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: BYTE's compressor/decompressor tests?  PKZIP vs. LHarc
Message-ID: <1897@crash.cts.com>
Date: 21 Mar 90 08:56:13 GMT
Sender: root@crash.cts.com
Lines: 27

In-Reply-To: message from tt3x@vax5.cit.cornell.edu
> most efficient and fastest compressor available.  From my experiences,
> PKZIP may be fast but it is definitely not the most efficient.  It
> seems as though LHarc 1.13C (despite what the article claims and shows)
> produces smaller files the majority of the time.  I don't know about
> the credibility of such tests but I've done a lot of PKZIPS and LHarcs
> and LHarcs seem more efficient despite its speed that most people
> don't like (it doesn't affect me because I have a 25 mhz 386).

I have never had any complaints about PKZIP.  I would like to mention I am
also on Phil Katz Clode Nine right now, having packed a 300,000 byte file to
less than 3,000 bytes.  Arf.  Funny, it's listed as having a 00% compression
ratio.  I note it may not print three digits, although is 100% accurate?  I
don't know -- I'm still high and I can't think.  Anyway, it may also be
interesting to note PKZIP 1.01 does not default to the BEST compression
scheme, whereas 1.02 does.  Inotherwords, 1.01 is faster, but not as efficient
space-wise.  Of course, you can IMPOSE the slower mode onto 1.01.  That's one
of the few "enhancements" of 1.02:  Best compressor default.

Anyhow, do the tests use PKZIP 1.01 or 1.02?  Also, do they mention the
compression type?  The "extra" compression can really do a good deal of extra
cramming I've noticed, and only in some instances does it seem much slower.
                                                  
Eric W. Lund *DISCLAIMER "Disclaimers are for weak people."* Prodigy: xcbr22b
UUCP: ...crash!pro-graphics!elund *COWS FOR RENT* ProLine: elund@pro-graphics
Internet: elund@pro-graphics.cts.com ** ARPA/DDN: pro-graphics!elund@nosc.mil