A simple question

[rainrtw]

I was just noticing in a lot of mod descriptions people were noting to "unpack this with an Actual copy of 7zip". So this leads me to wonder what this added emphasis is aimed at. Are other programs that handle 7z compression inferior or lead to data loss? Myself I use a registered copy of Winrar because I have it and prefer the interface. I haven't even reloaded 7zip on this machine after the last time I rebuilt it build.

Just wondered if I could be losing a byte here or there by not using the an 'actual' copy of 7zip.

And yes I do realize how incredibly lazy it sounds that I don't want to install 7zip. Just that I am used to using one, and I tend not to slow down for anything when I am on a roll.

 

While I am here, in FO3 is there a warnings log type file generated somewhere on each ctd like back in morrowind days. That was pretty handy since it showed exactly what it was trying to do or load when it crashed. I might just be a fool but I've not found any such thing for FO3 yet.

[pkleiss]

I really don't think it matters which application you use to unpack an archive file, as long as the application has the capabilities. The nice thing about 7Zip is that it can pack and unpack a vary large variety of archive types.

 

I don't know the answer to to your other question.

[nosisab]

I really don't think it matters which application you use to unpack an archive file, as long as the application has the capabilities. The nice thing about 7Zip is that it can pack and unpack a vary large variety of archive types.

 

I don't know the answer to to your other question.

You just forgot to add 7Zip is free to use :)

 

Sometimes proprietary formats finds a way to become incompatible with other applications, often with the own original application from previous versions...

 

Did someone say MSOffice, Nero and a bunch of others?

 

PS: Really I could not find any Fallout3 log in the main folder, nor in My Games nor in the Users\username\local\Fallout3, yet I found fose logs.

[thegyrodragon]

the warning log files are located in C:/programfiles/bethesda softworks/fallout3/data/backup im pretty sure

[Rifler]

Another reason why 7zip should be prefered is it's much bigger file compression. So basically:

 

- it's free, no need to register or even buy it

- it can unpack and pack almost anything

- it has pretty much the biggest file compression

- it has a cool name, sounds like one of thoose soft drinks

[phoneyLogic]

I alwas try to use the normal zip format. Just because it's already implemented into the OS. But this format does have some restriction in size. E.g. if you want to make a really large Archive, then you'd better go with 7zip or rar. These two formats are often used and most applications are able to extract them.

 

At least it's not really necessary what program you use to extract a file - as long it is able to handle the compression format. And yeah, 7zip is free, small, quick - not nice, but it does the job quite well

 

I personally always do have Winrar and 7zip installed and IZArc

[nosisab]

I alwas try to use the normal zip format. Just because it's already implemented into the OS. But this format does have some restriction in size. E.g. if you want to make a really large Archive, then you'd better go with 7zip or rar. These two formats are often used and most applications are able to extract them.

 

At least it's not really necessary what program you use to extract a file - as long it is able to handle the compression format. And yeah, 7zip is free, small, quick - not nice, but it does the job quite well

 

I personally always do have Winrar and 7zip installed and IZArc

Ah, but with normal zip you get really large packed archives from small unpacked source :) for now it should be a legacy format (don't get me wrong, it was a great thing and deserves reverence).

 

About being implemented in the OS, just another sample of crippled utilities MS insists in, almost, inflicting (forcing) on their users.

[phoneyLogic]

Ah, but with normal zip you get really large packed archives from small unpacked source :) for now it should be a legacy format (don't get me wrong, it was a great thing and deserves reverence).

Yeah, of cause you are absolutely right. 7zip is much more advanced in its compression algoritm in genearal. But it also depends on the source files, how much size can be saved. E.g. if you compress various mp3s. Let's take your favourite Album on HD. Compress it with 7zip with the maximum setting and compress it in ordinary Zip max compression level and you'll get almost the same size. Even if you choose the normal setting you probably wont see much difference there. On the other hand if you compress text, you''ll get a huge difference. For me it just a personal habit to prefere the zip format if I want to share sth and if the size would be almost the same anyway.

[rainrtw]

Well thanks for the input on that. I do agree ZIP was awesome for its time but RAR surpassed it some time ago. 7z is definitely king of compression right now it seems as far as raw size goes and seems to have pretty minimal data loss if any. Still I think RAR has the most self healing/recovery features last I heard.

And I see what ya mean about proprietary formats too. Usually I stick to only using the App designed specifically for that type but just seems I've gotten less bad md5s with winrar, although its still way more rare then back in the day lol. Ahh the memories... when command line ZIP was the hot new thing and md5 hadn't even been dreamed of yet.

 

I did see that backup directory too, but all I've found there is silly .bak's of the many mods I am workin on. (I re-mod everything I DL for compatibility and personalization to my setup).

Though maybe I just need to check it more often, like right after a ctd before anything else. Seems like even back with morrowind's warnings.log it would delete that file if you restarted the editor or game or some such non-sense.