                               WinZip 5.5
                       Reviewed by Patrick Grote

    One of the most frustrating processes any new user to communications
with a modem goes through is downloading, receiving, files from a BBS or
on-line service to their PC. We have entered an age with protocols like
Zmodem and CISB+ where the transfer of the files can happen
automatically with no user input necessary. Unfortunately, that is where
ease of use stops and massive confusion sets in.
    Once the user has the file they downloaded on their local PC what do
they do with it? If the file is like 90% of those you'll download for
the IBM platform, it will be ZIPPED. What is a ZIPPED file? It's a file
that has an extension of .ZIP and has been compressed by the market
leading compression program, PKZIP by PKWare.
    If the user is lucky enough to figure out/understand that you need
to uncompress the file before using it, they will always have a tough
time understanding the concept behind PKUNZIP and its friend PKZIP. This
is where WinZip steps in.
    WinZip is a utility that brings the convenience of the Windows
environment to the use of PKZIP/PKZUNIP. The end user, after installing
WinZip, doesn't need to know anything about the command associated with
PKZIP or PKUNZIP. All they have to do is click on a ZIP file through
File Manager or click on the WinZip icon.
    When you have clicked on a ZIP file you want to look at, WinZip
displays a listing of files inside the ZIP file. This is where WinZip
shines. From this main menu you have complete control of the ZIP file.
You can simply extract the files or add to the archive. WinZip adds much
more ability to your ZIP environment. The following just touches on it's
ability:
    Install/Uninstall: WinZip includes a built in installation feature.
Let's say you download a program from a BBS or on-line service. You
think it is what you are looking for, but you just can't be sure. With
WinZip you can easily install the program into your Windows environment,
run it, check it out, then have WinZip uninstall the program for you!
Amazing! This feature works only with programs that have an INSTALL or
SETUP program. Before you get all bummed out look at this . . .
    CheckOut Facility: WinZip will closely watch a program that doesn't
have a formal INSTALL or SETUP routine, so you can install and uninstall
these programs as well!
    Built-In ZIP Support: WinZip has built-in ZIP and UNZIP support, so
for standard functions such as creating an archive, unzipping an
archive, etc. you don't even need PKZIP/PKUNZIP on your hard drive! For
the more advanced features such as drive spanning, WinZip will allow you
to do this if you have PKZIP/PKUNZIP installed.
    Virus Checking: If you have one of the popular virus checking
software packages installed, WinZip will use this to scan each ZIP file
you manipulate.
    ARJ and LHA Support: Some compressed files are compressed with ARJ
or LHA. WinZip supports these formats when the ARJ and LHA programs are
available.
    Getting WinZip is as easy as using it! You can download a shareware
version to try before you buy. I suggest buying it right off the bat!
You can do this by credit card, mail and even on-line with CompuServe.
    WinZip is a utility that no computer user should be without. It
takes the headaches of dealing with ZIP and other compressed files away
from the user!

                        NicoMako Computing, Inc.
                                POB 919
                        Bristol, CT  06011-0919
                         Orders: (800) 2424-PSL

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