A significant number of maps here on TWP are compressed in the .rar format. Although .zip has worse compression for most file types, my preference is .zip simply due to how nicely it integrates with Windows explorer in Vista and Win7. Which do you use, and why?

I use .zip because most of my maps aren't very big and it's accessible to anyone on Windows without anyone having to download a program to access it.
If there is a compression program that is compatible with both Windows and Mac without forcing people to download a program to un-compress it please let me know. I want people with both kinds of computers to play my maps without issues.

7zip. Best compression you can get.

Well my map installer will install maps from D) Any of the above (.zip, .rar and .7z) </shameless plug>

chickenmobile wrote:
7zip. Best compression you can get.

This. Don't know if you can use it on *Nix and I know you can't get it for Mac, but that's, to an extent, what you get for using a Mac in the first place.

I use 7z due to the fact that it cuts the size of a file by 35% - 40%. And that helps when you have slow net like me an have to upload something 200MB. One time I had a 1.6 GB file to upload and the final size was 175 MB. <3

I use 7zip too. Its compression ratio is awesome but its GUI sux (at least I don't get to use it often). However, my only map was released with RAR compression since I was using WinRAR at the time.

I just found out that .zip compression works for Windows and Mac. Forget what I asked earlier.
To me, when it comes to compressing files, it must be as convenient as possible to the person downloading the file.

I love using .7z for my personal folders, but the maps I've uploaded so far use .zip because it seems to be the most available and convenient for a larger amount of people.

I just tried some different compression methods for my one and only uploaded map, Twin Pillars.
It includes two text documents, a .bsp, a .vmf, one .jpg image, and an internet shortcut.

Total Uncompressed Size: 8.96 MB (100%)

.Zip Size: 2.98 MB (33%)

.Rar Size: 2.64 MB (29%)

.7z Size: 2.08 MB (23%)

So .7z provides the best compression (at least for the file types used here), but .zip has the best compatibility and convenience. I just figured out that the .rar format is incredibly pointless considering that 7-Zip is free, has better compression, and is compatible with WinRAR anyway. Take note, TWP mappers.

Well, at least now I don't have to change my way of compressing files. Your welcome, Macintosh users.

I use zip, because it has native support from Windows, so it's most accessible.

When I distribute maps, I want the players to have the easiest way to play my maps. Any potential obstacle is a bad thing.

satchmo wrote:
When I distribute maps, I want the players to have the easiest way to play my maps. Any potential obstacle is a bad thing.

Very true.

Rar because it sounds like rawr!!!

zip otherwize my computer crashes

ryo786 wrote:
zip otherwize my computer crashes

Fairly certain there's something wrong there. Computers shouldn't crash when dealing with compressed files unless something's seriously screwed up.

I think he was joking.

ryo786 wrote:
zip otherwize my computer crashes

...I fell for that too.

BOB74j wrote:
ryo786 wrote:

zip otherwize my computer crashes

...I fell for that too.

"Yes, let's all laugh. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha"