PTWin User Tips / MANAGE DATA 
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Zipping Along
Understanding File Compression
Using Backup and Restore
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Tip #: 2.1.28 |
| Ver(s):PTWin32, V2, V1 |
The Backup and Restore commands found
on the File menus of both PTWin and the Tutility Table Repair program allow you to make
industry standard PKZip format compression files. These compression files are commonly
referred to as Zip Files.
Unfortunately the Iomega Corporation chose to call their 100 to 250 megabyte removable
disk drives, Zip Drives, which of course use, Zip Disks. And while you may use your Zip
Drive to store your Zip File on a Zip Disk, you must keep in mind that a Zip File is a
completely separate item that is not related to the popular Iomega drives.
A Zip File is created when you compress a file or a group of files into their smallest
possible configuration for storage purposes. Zip Files are dramatically smaller in size
than the sum of the files they contain but your computer can not use them while they are
zipped.
In order for your computer to work with a file it has to be arranged so the information is
laid out in predictable patterns. This arrangement inevitably leads to wasted space in the
file. The compression process or "zipping" converts all the wasted space to a
small record that stores the locations of the space. When the file is "unzipped"
the wasted space is re-inserted so your computer can open the file.
Since a single Zip File can contain many source files it becomes an attractive candidate
for making backups. The hundreds of files in your \PTWIN\DATA directory can be zipped into
a single tidy file that can be stored on any type of disk or tape you might want.
Additionally, any program that can work with Zip Files can open and close the files you
make as a result of using the Backup command in PTWin. Most third party archiving and file
viewing programs support PKZip format compression files.
Using the Backup command to make a Zip File is simple. Execute the command to see the
PTWin Backup dialog box. This dialog box contains a right and left panel. On the left is
the backup destination. Pick a drive and/or a directory for where you want to create your
Zip File. If you choose a removable drive (like a floppy) and your Zip File is going to be
bigger that the available storage, the program will prompt you to insert a new disk and
span as many as necessary.
On the right you will see a list of files in your PTWIN\DATA directory. Above the list are
two radio buttons that allow you to choose between zipping all the files in the directory
or some selected files. If you zip all the files in your PTWIN\DATA directory you will
have backed up your PTWin records. If you choose to zip selected files then you can use
the Windows standard of [SHIFT] – Click and [CTRL] – Click to selects groups of
files.
The PTWin Restore command works just like the Backup command only in reverse. You start by
selecting a Zip File to decompress or unzip. Then you are presented with the Restore From
Backup dialog box. The panel on the left shows where the uncompressed files will be put.
The panel on the right will allow you to unzip all the files contained in the Zip File or
just the files you select.
The PTWin Backup and Restore commands allow you to quickly make a backup of your PTWin
data into compressed PKZip files. You should take advantage of this facility in PTWin to
make backups as often as possible. We recommend you make daily backups and keep historical
backups that go back at least a month. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
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