[softwarelist] Re: SparkFS 1.41 & RO 6

In article <2a7593ec4e.martin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
   Martin Wuerthner <public@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> In message <4eec79c97fdfs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>           Dave Symes <dfs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> > In article <n5Dl4cERsIYGFwlO@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
> >    David Pilling <flist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> >> *SparkFSMethod <type> <method>
> >> Sets the compression method for a given archive type.
> >>
> >> So something like
> >> *SparkFSMethod 4 0
> >> is the command you would issue.
> > I've done that, but the SparkFS Choices window still shows Type Zip
> > and Method Deflate, so how do I know the Obey file  I've just double
> > clicked is going to give me a Zip archive and no compression?

> For that specific case, it is simple. After you have added some 
> compressible data to the archive (plain text files or sprites are 
> ideal - avoid compressed archives, GIF or JPEG images because they are 
> already compressed), then count the contents of the archive, then 
> count the archive size itself. Without compression, the archive size 
> is a bit larger than the size of its contents. With compression, the 
> archive size is substantially smaller.

Yes that's  quite obvious.

> If you add large files you will notice the difference anyway - it is 
> very fast for uncompressed archives and rather slow with "Deflate" 
> compression.

Again quite obvious.
I'm obviously looking for something a bit more sophisticated than "Suck it
and See".  ;-)

> Finally, just to avoid misunderstandings: The compression type is 
> *not* a property of the archive. There are no such things as 
> "uncompressed Zip files" and "compressed Zip files". The file does not 
> say anything about the compression to be applied. Each individual item 
> in the file can be either compressed or uncompressed. The 
> SparkFSMethod commands do not control the compression when creating an 
> archive. Rather, they control the compression used when adding files 
> to the archive.

That's useful to know, as I wasn't aware of how it worked.

> You can easily create a mixed archive: Create a Zip file (no matter 
> what your current SparkFS settings are), then type
> *SparkFSMethod 4 0
> and add a file. It is added without compression. Then, type
> *SparkFSMethod 4 8
> and add a file. It is added with Deflate compression.

How did you arrive at the "8" ?  I can't see anything in the manual that
defines the level of compression like that?
> Martin

Thanks for the input Martin, I have learned a few things.
However it's all a bit of a bother, when I can just click up my second
copy with all the stuff ready configured, and actually see and know what's
going on.

Cheers
Dave S

--

Other related posts: