By Dale Farris, Secretary
Golden Triangle PC Club
March 2003

Program Overview

PicoZip is an award-winning file compression utility for Microsoft Windows users. Its intuitive user interface is extremely easy to use, while its wide ranging support for most file compression formats and comprehensive set of features make it likely that PicoZip may be the only archive utility you will ever need.

Note also that PicoZip is compatible with Zip files created by WinZip, PKZip and other file compression utility programs now on the market. For savvy, long time users of computers, who also very likely already have some experience with other file compression utilities, such as WinZip or PKZip, PicoZip provides some nice features not found in these other utilities, while also providing a much easier interface to work with.

For anyone new to file compression, PicoZip will provide the right program to begin learning how to compress and decompress files into and out of archives. When those new to this process begin to run across zipped archives of files, as they begin to download shareware or even purchased programs, they might naturally wonder how to work with these compressed archives. PicoZip is an excellent compression utility that will do everything novices need, while also providing to others who may be experienced with this process handy new tools not found in WinZip or PKZip.

The presentation of the program and its many user-friendly windows help in understanding how the program works, how to manage the compressed files, and where to place the unzipped files. This well designed interface really will make a difference in being able to very quickly get a handle on what the program can do, especially for those new to these types of programs.

Compressed files are everywhere now, especially as you work with Web sites. Those who have been connected to the Internet have likely come across these various archived file formats. Compressed files come in many different formats, such as ZIP, TAR, and CAB. Finding a utility that can handle them efficiently and with little trouble can sometimes be a pain, and you really don't want to have to load various different file compression utilities on one machine to handle all these formats if you can help it. Almost everyone knows about the standard programs, such as WinZip, but there are many others now on the market.

PicoZip provides superior compressed file format control and manageability that will definitely appeal to those heavily involved in working with these types of files.

Features

Supports ACE, ARC, ARJ, BH, CAB, GZ, JAR, LHA, LZH, RAR, TAR, TGZ, Z, ZIP, ZOO, XXE and UUE file formats

Simple and intuitive user interface
Supports more archive formats
Seamless Windows integration
Fast and easy automated backup
Highly customizable
Integrated archive files explorer
Powerful batch features to automate repetitive tasks
Easy favorite archive folders management
Create self-extracting archives
Find files using wildcards, date or size
Repair ZIP archives
Convert archive formats
Flexible filtering of files in archives
Integrated email support
Virus scanner support
Quick access tray tool
Extensive help
Export files list
Print files list
Recover password from Zip files (Requires the FREE add-on utility)
Lifetime FREE upgrade

Comparison With WinZip 8.0

PicoZip 2 supports 15 extract archive formats, while WinZip 8 supports 8, and PicoZip supports 8 archive formats, while WinZip supports 1.

PicoZip 2 creates 8 self-extracting formats, while WinZip 8 supports 1.

PicoZip 2 supports 3 export file list formats, while WinZip 8 does not do this.

PicoZip 2 has 13 features accessible from an explorer-like context menu, while WinZip 8 has 6.

PicoZip 2 allows batch features to perform archiving tasks like add, create, convert, virus scan, etc., on many archives in a single operation, while WinZip 8 does not do this.

PicoZip has backup features, a built-in explorer, will convert archive formats, repair damaged Zip archives, allow you to configure all context menus, filter files, and provides a most-recently-used folders list for extract, while WinZip 8 does not do all these things.

For anyone seriously involved in creating and opening compressed file archives, PicoZip's features will definitely come in handy, as it supports various features not available in WinZip. Of course, for those who seldom need to unzip compressed files, these superior features may not be necessary. However, for the price, PicoZip 2 does provide many features and supports other functions that are not found in the comparably priced WinZip 8, or PKZip.

Advanced Capabilities

The advanced functions really help make PicoZip stand out from other similar utilities. Most normal users can get along without using or having these extra features, but advanced users will appreciate having available these capabilities.

Using the Convert Archive Format feature, you can convert a compressed archive from one format to another. You are able to convert between eight (8)  different formats, including .bh, .cab, .lha, .lzh, .zip, .tar, .tar.gz, and .jar. You do not even have to be in PicoZip to convert a file. From Windows Explorer, you can simply right-click a file and select the Convert Archive Format option. After selecting this option, PicoZip will launch and automatically fill in the file names for you. All you need to do is select the output format and then convert the file.

Another of the advanced features in PicoZip is the ability to have it repair corrupted zip files. This option only works for .zip files. Just about anyone who has been interacting with zip files for some time has probably had one or more get corrupted. Now, using this feature will help you recover some or all of the files from a zip file when it gets damaged.

PicoZip also has a built-in backup feature which allows you to create backup jobs. These backup jobs can compress files and folders. PicoZip supports .bh, .cab, .jar, .lha, .lzh, .tar and .zip when using the Backup feature.

PicoZip also includes a neat Batch function for many of it’s standard options. After selecting one of the batch options, PicoZip allows you to select the files you would like to include for the specified task. Once completed, PicoZip then displays the results.

The filter is another added advanced feature. The filter is a great tool to have when dealing with zip files that have many files in them. Using standard wildcard characters, you can tell PicoZip to show only the files in a zip file that you want. For example, you may have a zip file with 300 gif images in it and 2 html files. Using the Filter option, you can tell PicoZip to only display the html files, making them much more easy to find.

PicoZip is also loaded with many configuration options. The toolbar can be configured to your liking, using a list of available buttons. The column titles in PicoZip can be selected as well. They can also be rearranged in the window by simply dragging & dropping them where you need them. The majority of the remaining configuration options are pretty much standard between compression packages.

Targeted Customers

While the more advanced capabilities of PicoZip may not be that relevant to those new to working with file compression utilities, I think those who depend on these utilities for a major part of their work will definitely want to give serious consideration to this powerful, user-friendly program that is packed with power and priced very competitively.

With PicoZip's capability to handle so many archive file formats, users also now have one file compression utility that will support these various formats they come across as they use the Internet.

The program is priced so smartly, that getting your own copy of PicoZip is really a no-brainer. The company also makes available a very affordable multi-licensing structure that means PicoZip can be easily obtained and loaded on all desktops in all corporate structures.

Price

$24.95 single license

Volume licensing is available for as many as 1,000 licenses, or more if needed.

Minimum System Configuration Requirements

Windows 95, 98, 98 SE, ME, NT 4, 2000, XP

2.6MB downloadable file

PicoZip is a nifty utility that will take minimal space on your hard drive, and minimally challenge system resources.

About Softchitect

Softchitect is a privately owned software and web development company. Softchitect has been providing high quality custom software and web solutions since 1998, and is known for its expertise in user interface design and software engineering. PicoZip, its first mass consumer software product, has been rated as the top file compression utility by many independent reviewers worldwide.

Contact Information

Christopher Tan
PicoZip Sales
PicoZip @ Softchitect
5, Lrg Sri Damak 21
Kaw 2, Taman Sri Andalas
41200 Klang
Selangor, Malaysia
+6 03 3371 5430
FAX +6 03 3373 4628
sales@picozip.com
www.picozip.com

To order, go to this Web site: www.picozip.com/order.html