WINZIP 9.0 Beta review

The new Winzip 9.0 Beta is out, and here's an idea of what to expect when you try it out

By Tim Bullard

Whether you've squeezed a huge text file into an archived parcel to keep for posterity or you have downloaded a program that has oodles of .dll libraries, executable programs and help files crammed together, you have probably called on Winzip Computing Inc. of Mansfield Conn.

Downloading the free version from www.download.com or other sources is always an alternative since most operating systems and software does not include it, but there are many serious advantages to buying the new beta version of this popular software tool.

The utility extracts files to wherever you want. Operating systems include their own zipping utilities, but Winzip has been there when you needed it most.

For the full details of Winzip visit www.winzip.com or email help@winzip.com .

Installation is a breeze if you are one of the millions of users who has taken advantage of the free online version: the setup.exe guide you through the process, and if you have paid for the registered version, you enter your registration number.

Then there is the tutorial which is very helpful and informative. You always try hard to decide whether to go with the Winzip Classic or Winzip Wizard.

The wizard helps if you just want to start working right away, so you press “next” and hit the road with no hassle. You can make your own zip files.

The classic interface is helpful to old pros because you can drag a file and drop it in the archive. It looks a lot like Windows Explorer which is a familiar approach and user-friendly.

You can always change from Classic to Wizard with the click of the mouse.

Read all the license agreements, including the warranty disclaimers and liability limitations.

One of the smarter uses of anti-virus software like Norton Anti-Virus 2004 is to always include zip files in your scans.

The Self-Extractor Personal Edition which comes with Winzip helps those who do not have an unzip utility to work with a file.

When setting up the program, always search for all zip files on your hard drive so you program knows where everything is. Use the Favorite Zip Folders menu item to locate lost zip archives.

Winzip will contact you via its mailing e-mail lists if there are any updates.

The new Winzip 9.0 Beta is easy to use. Create an encryption, either 256-bit or 128-bit and mask your password to make files really secure. The AEX encryption is FIPS-197 certified by NIST.

There is also increased file capacity so you can store more with unlimited size. Remember when archives could only be 4 GB with no more than 65,535 files? Now the 64-bit format does away with these restrictions with the only limit being the system's own resources.

There is also improved zip file compression so you save data transmission time and disk space.

You can navigate easier with your add, extract, open archive and new archive functions plus you can easily get to My Documents, Desktop, My Computer and Network Places in the Places Bar.

Use your mouse to hover over a zip file, and those magical tool tip windows show you the contents of the archive, like a .gif file, ..doc list of your CDs or a .bmp file of your family portrait.

You can e-mail zip files easily, and the XP support is superb with XP-looking graphics.

If you're looking for the file you most recently worked with, try the quick pick tray icon. Try self-extracting files to send.

Winzip 9.0 will be a free upgrade for all registered users.