Using WinZip

WinZip is a Windows-based program used for compressing and decompressing a file or multiple files.  It is mandatory when posting GPLs or results to the Yahoo board that your files be compressed.  Here are the basic steps for using WinZip 8.0.

An evaluation version of WinZip can be downloaded from the WinZip site.  You can obtain the latest version at www.winzip.com.  Once you download the software, install it under Windows.

Zipping Files

This is the process of compressing files before sending.  Once you have WinZip installed, it is extremely easy to zip files.

1. Using Windows Explorer or My Computer, maneuver your way to the directory you want.  For our stuff, you will most likely be going to A: (for your GPL's), or c:\sombk\leagues (for game results).
2. Holding down the Ctrl key, left- click on each of the files to be included in the zip file.
3. Still holding the Ctrl key, right-click to bring up the command menu.  One of the options will be Add to Zip - select that option to start WinZip
4. WinZip will automatically bring you to its Add form - click New...
5. Type in a file name.  In the case of game plans, you would type something like 01torwas.zip  In the case of game results you would type something like 01tor@cle.zip.
6. The zip file is now created, and you should be looking at its contents in a WinZip window - close it, and the file is ready to go.

Opening Zip Files

Unzipping files is just as easy as creating them.  By default, WinZip only recognizes files that end with ".zip".  But, you can automate other extensions to be recognized as well.

1. When you receive an e-mail with a zipped file (.ZIP), you have a couple of options for a first step.  First, you can save it to disk, or you can try to open it on the spot.  The safest bet is to copy it to your hard disk.
2. From there, simply double-click on the file to open it.
3. In WinZip, click Extract to unzip the files.
4. Select the destination of the file, either by typing it in the box, clicking through the menu, or using the pull- down of recent destinations.  For GPL's, you will be unzipping to A:.  For game results, you can unzip the .PRT file to wherever you want.