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ZipAdvisor

ZipAdvisor from SCV Systems is the easiest most convenient way to track and manage disk space on your PC. We've all gotten the dreaded "Out of Disk Space message." Most of us as have some kind of zippy compression tool on our machine. So how is that we ever get an "Out of Disk Space message?" We are busy people, busy getting things done, and data management is likely the last thing we have time for, if we even think of it at all.

Using ZipAdvisor is as easy as opening the Windows95 Explorer. ZipAdvisor quickly gives you access to the folders on your computer which are taking up the most space, and tells you how much is zipped and unzipped for evry folder.  This will save you lots of time, compared to the manually going through an entire drive folder by folder to see if there is any unwanted data. With some new software these days demanding 200+ megabytes of disk space, ZipAdvisor can be your best friend in the battle for disk space.

Getting started:
The Main Window,
The Main Menu,
Customizing things,
About ZipAdvisor,


The Main Window

The Main Window consists of 3 major areas: the Path Bar,  the List Window, and the Toolbar.

The Path Bar.

The Path Bar is located just under the Main Menu of ZipAdvisor.   The Path Bar shows the current folder being analyzed.    Clicking on the Path Bar allows you to choose the path you would like to view.  You can also choose a new folder by using the "File: Scan files" or "File: Scan favorite folder" menu items.

The List Window.

The List Window fills most of the Main Window.  This is where all the results will be displayed.  The List has six columns of information and has a right click popup menu to help manage your data.  You can also click on the heading of each column to sort by that column.  So, if you click on the word "Zipped", the list will be sorted by the amount of zipped data in each folder.  If you click "Zipped" again, the sort will run from MOST data to LEAST data.

The columns are:

Path:  Shows complete path of each subfolder found.

Unzipped: Shows the number of unzipped bytes in folder.

Zipped: Shows the total number of zipped bytes in folder.

%: Shows actual percentage of the folder  which is zipped data.

Most Recent: Shows how old the most recent file in the folder is, in days.  This might help you decide whether to keep the data unzipped.  When you see a folder where none of the files are less than 100 days old, it might be an old program which you don't use anymore.

Priority: Shows a priority figure.  This is based on the  zipped to unzipped ratio, total amount of unzipped data, and how old the files are.  A high priority number means that it is more likely that you can zip the data safely, or that you will save more space by zipping the files.  There are no absolute rules, so this is just a guideline.

The Toolbar.

The Toolbar contains the Exit button, the Settings button,  and of course the Help button to read pop up this help file when you need it.   There is also a progress bar when scanning the hard drive, and a percent meter that shows the total percent zipped for  all folders in the current path.

Related Topics:
Contents,
The Main Menu,
Customizing things,
About ZipAdvisor


The Main Menu

File Menu:
Scan files -
Click here and choose a folder.  ZipAdvisor will scan all subfolders and show a detailed report.  You can click on any file, or just leave  the filename saying '(path)'.

Scan favorite folder:
Click here for a list of your "favorite" folders.  These are the ones you scan frequently.  You can go to the Folder menu and choose "Add to favorites" to add a folder to this favorites list, or you can choose File: Preferences, go to the Favorites tab, and edit the list there.

Preferences:
Click here to pop up the Preferences window.

Register Me!:
If you haven't registered your copy of ZipAdvisor, please considerdoing so.  It takes a lot of time & effort to develop software, andwe appreciate all registrations.   Registered users will receive freeupdates & info.

Quit:
Click here to exit the program.

Folder menu:
If you select a folder in the main window, then right-click, you canalso get to these options from the handy popup menu.

Explore:
Select a folder from the main list, and click here (or press Ctrl-E) to launch Explorer to view the contents of the folder.

Ignore this path:
Select a folder from the main list, and click here (or press Ctrl-I) to add the selected folder to the list of folders to be ignored.

Add to favorites:
Select a folder from the main list, and click here (or press Ctrl-A) to add the selected folder to your list of "favorite" folders.

Properties:
Select a folder from the main list, and click here (or press F4) to view details for the selected folder.

Refresh list:
Click here (or press F5 like in Explorer) to scan files again and fill the list with new information.  After making lots of changes, you should refresh the list to see your progress.

Help menu:
Help contents:
Click here to launch this help file.

ZipAdvisor on the web:
If you're online, click here and you will be taken straight to the ZipAdvisor support page.  This is for our registered users only.

SCV Systems on the web:
If you're online, click here and you will be taken to the SCV Systems home page.  You will find all kinds of info about our software, ourselves, and other interesting stuff.  Feel free to visit any time!

About:
Click here for basic version & copyright info for ZipAdvisor.

Related Topics:
Contents,
The Main Window,
Customizing things,
About ZipAdvisor


Customizing ZipAdvisor

The ZipAdvisor settings window is accessed by the middle button on the toolbar, or by the "File: Preferences" menu item.

The window itself is divided into four tabs.

Zip extensions:  This list shows the file extensions which are considered valid archives on your system. If you do not see a type listed you know to be valid on your system simply click the Add button, and enter the new extension.

Paths to Ignore: This list shows all paths which you want ZipAdvisor will skip when scanning a Drive or Path.  This is particularly handy for SYSTEM and Program Files folders which are known to contain large amounts of necessary files. You may add a path directly in the Settings window on the Paths to Ignore tab by typing the path in yourself, or by selecting paths to ignore using the "Folder: Ignore this path" menu option in the Main Window.

File Types to Ignore: This list offers another way to streamline the chore of trimming down used disk space. If you have a large number of files with like extensions which you never or rarely plan to zip up, this allows you to skip them as well in the process of scanning a path. Simply click Add on the File Types to Ignore tab of the zip advisor Settings Window, and key in the extension you wish to ignore.

Favorites: This list shows your "Favorite" folders.  These are the folders you intend to scan often.  You can modify this list using the Add, Edit, and Delete buttons.  You can also add folders to the list in the Main Window, using the "Folders: Add to favorites" menu item.

There is one other option in the Settings Window which will help speed up the analysis of your hard drives.  Right above the OK  button is a text box labeled "Don't show unless over _____ K in size." If you enter a value like 200 in this field, then the only folders shown after scanning a drive are the folders containing over 200K of files.  You can decide on a size value that makes sense to you.

Related Topics:
Contents,
The Main Menu,
The Main Window,
About ZipAdvisor


About ZipAdvisor

ZipAdvisor is Copyright 1997-98 by scv systems.

ZipAdvisor was designed & written by s.c.virtes.

For the latest info, visit the SCV Systems website at: www.scvs.com
You can now order and register select software online.

scv systems
306 W. El Norte Pkwy
Suite N-201
Escondido CA 92026
888-781-4021 (Visa/MC accepted)

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