Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!ccu.umanitoba.ca!herald.usask.ca!lowey
From: lowey@herald.usask.ca (Kevin Lowey,159 Physics,(306) 966-4826,(306) 249-3232)
Newsgroups: comp.os.os2.misc
Subject: Re: Comp.binaries.os2 archive format...
Message-ID: <1991Jun25.041131.14035@herald.usask.ca>
Date: 25 Jun 91 04:11:31 GMT
References: <11750019@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com>
Sender: lowey@herald.usask.ca (Kevin Lowey)
Reply-To: lowey@herald.usask.ca
Organization: University of Saskatchewan
Lines: 56

joeb@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Joe Barnhart):
> 
> I prefer the LHARC format.  It is free, instead of "shareware".  All
> users of ZIP must register and pay PK Ware for using their software.
> LHARC is nearly as fast, packs just as well, and offers easier operation
> for some options.

Actually PKZIP is free for non-commercial and private use.  They do
"appreciate" a $25 payment, but it is not legally required.  I agree
that morally you should pay, but it is not a legal requirement to use
the program.

Here is the licence, found by doing PKZIP -L


PKZIP (tm)   FAST!   Create/Update Utility   Version 1.02   10-01-89
Copyright 1989 PKWARE Inc.   All Rights Reserved.   PKZIP/h for help

You are free to use, copy and distribute PKZIP for noncommercial use IF:
        NO FEE IS CHARGED FOR USE, COPYING OR DISTRIBUTION.
        IT IS NOT MODIFIED IN ANY WAY.

PKWARE disclaims all warranties as to this software, whether express or
implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of merchant-
ability, fitness for a particular purpose, functionality or data integrity
or protection.  See documentation for further disclaimers and information.

If you have any questions or comments about PKZIP, send them to Phil Katz at
PKWARE BBS, Glendale WI, 414-352-7176          RBBS of Chicago, 312-352-1035
Exec-PC BBS, Shorewood WI, 414-964-5160
Sound of Music BBS, Oceanside NY, 516-536-5630

If you find PKZIP fast, easy, and convenient to use, a registration of $25
would be appreciated.  If you send $47 or more you will receive, when
available, the next version of the PKZIP, PKUNZIP, and PKSFX programs.
Please state the version of the software that you currently have.  Send
check or money order to:   PKWARE, Inc.
                           7545 N. Port Washington Rd.
                           Glendale, WI 53217


Having said that ... I'd prefer to stick with ZOO format.  I unpack a lot
of stuff from both this group, and COMP.BINARIES.IBM.PC.  I'd prefer keeping
the same format for both.

Also, ZOO is free, the source code is available, and it has been ported to
almost EVERY machine out there.  It also supports full directory names in
files, which can be a problem when converting to different formats.

As for having to convert files after, I ALWAYS at LEAST unpack the files and
run virus checking programs on them.  I now have a nice batch file that
automatically unpacks a file, converts all the text files to MS-DOS format,
packs up the files in PKZIP format for the BBS, then runs two separate virus
checking programs on the files.

- Kevin Lowey