Why does Paizo provide various single PDFs as .zip archives? My understanding is that the algorithm for creating a PDF already uses Zip compression when necessary, so there should be little or no benefit from further zipping a .pdf file. At least that's what I gathered from this web page (among others). Am I misreading something?
(The reason I'm asking is because my work firewall blocks .zip files, of course.)
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Why does Paizo provide various single PDFs as .zip archives? My understanding is that the algorithm for creating a PDF already uses Zip compression when necessary, so there should be little or no benefit from further zipping a .pdf file. At least that's what I gathered from this web page (among others). Am I misreading something?
(The reason I'm asking is because my work firewall blocks .zip files, of course.)
I've found that when it's a straight pdf, the browser opens it as the default rather than downloading it. It doesn't produce any significant extra compression I can see.
Well, .zip-ping a PDF does reduce the size... Approximately 5% average from the sampling I did of my Paizo PDF collection.
As someone who is about to move to an area where dial up is the most financially efficient internet connection, I can see that as still being welcome. (It can cost $1000+ to get cable run to your house, before monthly costs.)
Well, .zip-ping a PDF does reduce the size... Approximately 5% average from the sampling I did of my Paizo PDF collection.
My understanding was that that's a sign of an inefficient .pdf creator, but again I could be mistaken.
Ah, that makes sense. Doesn't help me, but it makes sense. :-)
Ah, that makes sense. Doesn't help me, but it makes sense. :-)
Could you unzip them on your home computer, throw them on a flash drive and bring them to work?
Could you unzip them on your home computer, throw them on a flash drive and bring them to work?
Yes (I carry around my PDFs on a 16GB flash drive for convenience). But check with your workplace with regard to reviewing said content on their machines.
Ah, that makes sense. Doesn't help me, but it makes sense. :-)Could you unzip them on your home computer, throw them on a flash drive and bring them to work?
Oh sure (or e-mail them to myself, or whatever); it's not really a problem (especially considering that work hours are for, you know, working).
If you don't zip up - then its likely to get a might chilly... especially round this time of year [nippit sweeties!] ;)
Chief Technical Officer
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Well, .zip-ping a PDF does reduce the size... Approximately 5% average from the sampling I did of my Paizo PDF collection.My understanding was that that's a sign of an inefficient .pdf creator, but again I could be mistaken.
Not necessarily... while the images in a PDF can be compressed, the images are only part of the story. If you use zip compression on a PDF—even one that has compressed images—you'll usually still save a little bit of space because you're compressing other portions of the document.
work hours are for, you know, working
Yeeeaahh sure.... (typing this while I'm "working")
Could you unzip them on your home computer, throw them on a flash drive and bring them to work?Yes (I carry around my PDFs on a 16GB flash drive for convenience). But check with your workplace with regard to reviewing said content on their machines.
If your workplace has a half way decent IT/Security department, they should be against you bringing flash drives to work.
USB Switchblade
USB Hacksaw
(Note: The Switchblade idea is about 5 years old, and many people aren't even aware of it yet...)