How can I properly compress a file to send via email?

[TheGingerBeardMan]

.
Greetings all technical wizards and masters of electronic voodoo.

I tried to compress a file in order to send to a forum member, but I am limited to the file size I can send via my email server.

I selected the file I wanted to compress, and then "right clicked", and "send file to compressed (zipped folder). But, as stated, it didn't shrink it small enough to allow sending.

(The original file was over 200MB, and my computer only succeeded in "Zipping" it down to 193MB. Not much smaller).


So, I trawled a few sites on the internet, and the help pages I found all said pretty much the same thing. (i.e. use WinZip etc) Oh elbow n' nuts.

Here I turn to the Gurus! Any suggestions?

I do not have Facebook (if they share stuff), I don't have this Cloud thing (as my computer is old) and I'm not willing to pay for any packages, just to send one thing to someone.

In the worst case scenario, if I can't send it via email, I will put the info on a 700MB Disc and post it to the mans house.

Muchos grassy-ass!

GBM.

[artee]

Send/save the file to a virtual drive. ie... Google drive.
Then send your friend a link to that file.
Then remove the file for security after its picked up.

Roger

[TheGingerBeardMan]

Do I need to sign up to Google or anything to allow me to use it?

I'm just using Windows 7, and nowt fancy.

[TheGingerBeardMan]

Well, I "created an account" (reluctantly, cos I don't want hit with sh1tloads of spam from Google), and I have 15GB "free" storage.

I'm in the process of uploading the file from my computer, so, we shall see what happens with it - whether I can figure out the ins and outs.

Many thanks Roger (artee) for giving me the name of this program thing!


EDIT: Started upload of single 228MB file to Google drive at 19:09 and it now 19:24, and it's only done 100MB. Crikey it's slow! Got time to make me tea, run round the block and have a bath before it reaches 200 methinks.

[VTRDark]

Stop before you go down the google route GBM. How about Dropbox they will be a little more secure than google. Sign up for the free service and simply use it for scenarios like this, but pleases be aware that anything you don't want shared with a 3rd party should first be encrypted before transfer or at least buried (Russian doll) and password protected.

First off what type of file format is it and what size? If a jpeg format for example, then it can be compressed more before zipping, the same for a lot of other formats one way or another or even converted to a different format. Don't forget to send a friendly format that the person at the other end can easily open/view. I hate it when someone sends me a .doc (MS Word) file. I would not insult my Mac with MS Office being installed So therefore will have issues opening the file. Not only that, but if you sent a .doc created and saved from a later version of Word on a PC to another PC user or Mac user for that matter,and that person the other end has an earlier version of Word. They will also have issues opening the file. Convert/Export as a PDF first Please. PDF = Portable Document Format meaning that anyone whether Mac or PC and no matter which software's they have installed can open and read the file. I've gone a bit off course there but never mind, hopefully you will learn something.

Most email providers will limit you to 5 mb so anything bigger than this you can use the cloud (google drive, dropbox or whatever) and then email the download link to the person in question.

Onto compression, without going into to much technical detail , there are two types of compression, Lossy and Lossless. Using an image as an example, Lossy compression works by trashing bits (literally ha ha) out of the file. So in the case of the image it takes pixels out of the image, hence the smaller file size and worse quality picture. Lossy = sacrificing quality for smaller filesize. The there is Lossless compression which works by squashing/squeezing the file smaller to fit so no loss in quality. It's gets squashed and then un-squashed when de-compressed. Both types have their pro's and cons depending on ones uses.

There are various formats of compression (zip, rar, tar, gzip, 7zX to name a few) for various uses, security, archiving or sending across a network for example. Some compress more than others. But in your case .zip would most likely be fine for your needs. Personally I would zip the file, then put that zipped file inside a folder as a container, then compress the whole lot into a password protected rar file or better still a dmg. Then give the fie some obscure random name (hg5gh749v4) make a note of it so you know the name and what's inside the file. You could even go as far as encrypting the file before transport too. Once complete you then upload to the cloud or wherever.

The likes of filesharing sites and other cloud based services that offer free services including email will have bots that scan their servers, nosing into what's stored on them, gathering your personal data (whatever you have uploaded/sent) to do as they please with. These services are not free your selling yourself. Compressing like I said and password protecting will protect you somewhat from the bots being able to see inside and steal the contents. They would most likely be able to see inside a bob standard non password protected zip file and some may even be able to see inside a password protected zip.

As to which compression software to use I shall leave that to the windblows users to advice.



(:-})

[VTRDark]

wombles me you tried to email a 228MB file PMSL



(:-})

[TheGingerBeardMan]

Learnt shedloads from that Carl - many thanks.

Unfortunately, By the time I read this (2 mins ago), I'd already created an account with Google and uploaded the PDF file from my computer to the "Google Drive".

On the share page, I put in the recipients email address, and selected "share link with this person only" type box.

I have since emailed the nice man (member of this forum) and he's replied saying he managed to download the file. I asked him to let me know if it went ok, and as it's a yes, I went back in to Google Drive and deleted the PDF upload. It went into the Trash folder of the drive, so I emptied that too. "Gone for ever, can't be undone"...selected YES.

I uploaded a pic of me BSA 650 lightning, and wondered if the "share to all" link would work on here. So, I tried copying the image link, and then posting as usual in the forum, but it didn't work - so I just deleted the photo. Not bothered too much about that!

The main thing I wanted to do worked, which was pass on a file that was too big for my email to handle. Short of posting the file on a disc to the mans door, this Google Drive seemed to do the trick.

Now I shall away and read about a few things you put on here. Russian Doll, Dropbox etc.

Many thanks for taking the time to reply! But, unfortunately, you were just a tad too late!

The package has been sent. The Goose has already flown. This message won't self destruct in 30 seconds, but I will if I don't get a coffee to help me calm down after all this!

[TheGingerBeardMan]

wombles me you tried to email a 228MB file

Erm, yes. I didn't think it was that big a size. It was just a single PDF file. I thought my email peoples would have squeezed it through, but nope - too big.

I have emailed the same guy, 2 files, and the largest of those was about 20MB - it took a while, but it still went through.

Wombles indeed!

[VTRDark]

First off congratulations. Well done mate. Was the BSA pic to big jim by any chance. Or is that a diversion tactic and your actually sharing porn with Mac

"Gone for ever, can't be undone"...selected YES.

You would like to think so wouldn't you. Nothing is instantly deleted and how do you know that they haven't mirrored you file onto a backup server before you hit the word delete, yes word, that's all it is. but words can give a sense of security if you know what I mean. Actually when you empty the trash/waste basket on your machine it's not gone otherwise data recovery would not work.

I most likely go ovebroard a little on the security thing but I like to make people aware of what's really going on. Not only that if you really are sending sensitive data then it is important.

Well done on the PDF which is one of my pet hates the moron that don't and then go sending an application file format. Some idiots even upload .doc files to their website. My friends daughters school does this. They send .doc files to parents expecting them all to be able to open them. Morons....and they are supposed to be educating people.

Note the Document in PDF When it comes to images jpegs are fine unless you want full quality in which case a tiff would be better.

(:-})

[TheGingerBeardMan]

I hear you loud and clear for the "do you think they are really gone, as in gone-gone?"

I think I posted my feeling on photos on the web before. Which is why I don't have any on there, as even when deleted, I know they still keep them in their "file" for "safety and security" and all the other Bull they try and justify with.

As for MacV2? Nope, no porn to him - I think he has enough in his own collection without getting mine. Actually, if I sent him my collection, he'd need 4 shelves made out of angle iron to support it all. Really MUST get rid of it. But can you imagine the poor old womans face in the Charity shop when she goes to open THOSE bin-liners?

The BSA pic was just a thought, in case I want to sell stuff on here, and need to put up a photo. But, it didn't work, so I gave up after a few attempts. Really not wanting to do photofuket or stuff like that just to sell the odd few bits (although I could really do with a few reddies at the moment), so guess I'll just stick to Gumntree and selling local. (Which I wonder if Gumtree keep photos too?)

But, as it's just stuff I'm selling, I'm not too bothered about having the pics on the net. Personal photos (of me, me bikes etc are a different story, and can't believe the amount of folk on here who post up a photo, and it links to their wombles account, where one can see their family photos, mobile uploads etc.)

It's just SO wrong!

[VTRDark]

and can't believe the amount of folk on here who post up a photo, and it links to their wombles account, where one can see their family photos, mobile uploads etc.)

Either they don't care because they are nieve or have a lack of technical know how and understanding or are sucked in with the rest of the sheep dont tell Lloydie where they are
and the media control over people.

If you ever want any pics put up in the sales and wants then send them to me and I will host them on my account for you and remove after the sale. Surely that has got to better than having to keep sending pics to anyone that enquires. I can assure you that any pics I put on Photobucket are set as personal and not for PB to allow the PB community and google bots access to them. Where things fall down is when they are placed on this insecure forum. You can see the bots that visit us on the forum Portal page at the bottom left. One can have the pics on a password protected page within PB and then send the password to access via PM.

(:-})

[bald_pig]

I'd also say no to dropbox, they're known to check files as well, and you get a piddly file limit!

I use Copy.com, 20Gb limit and no big G/dropboxiness.

[MacV2]

Or is that a diversion tactic and your actually sharing porn with Mac

Good Gawd I don't want to be anywhear his sloppy seconds 2nd hand porn !

Neckid Ginger bearded ladies NO thanks !






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