OS/2 Shareware BBS: 8 Other/08-Other.zip/zs120e.zip/ZSNEW.INF

OS/2 Help File | 1996-06-23 | 32KB | 454 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. ZipStream ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Copyright ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Copyright (C) Carbon Based Software  1993 - 1996.  All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, chemical,
photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of
Carbon Based Software.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. What's New in V1.20 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This section describes new features and functions that have been  incorporated
into ZipStream V1.20.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1. New Option for ZipStream Attach ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

A new option has been added to the ZipStream Attach  utility (zsattach.exe) to
cause it to make a Non Compressed attachment.  This is useful when you which to
use a ZipStream drive letter just like an OS/2 SUBST facility.

To make a Non Compressed attachment the utility with a '/N' switch e.g.

  zsattach h: c:\ /n


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. What's New in V1.10 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This section describes new features and functions that have been  incorporated
into ZipStream V1.10.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. New Compression Options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This release of ZipStream contains new compression and caching algorithms that
significantly improve performance in cases where the existing algorithms have suffered.

As with any compression or caching algorithm, there will always exist
pathological cases where one algorithm will perform badly while another will
perform well and visa versa.  We have tried to ensure that the best performance
is always achieved by using adaptive techniques, but even this can suffer in
unexpected cases.  For this reason we have still allowed manual selection of
algorithms where appropriate.

Users of earlier versions of ZipStream (prior to v103e) can utilize the new
compression and caching options. In this case, existing compressed files will
need to be recompressed into a new format. i.e.

  zsunpack *.*

  zspack *.*

To give you an idea of the new performance possible, here is some test results
with AmiPro.

 AmiPro startup with no compression: 21 seconds

 AmiPro startup with old compression algorithms: 60 seconds

 AmiPro startup with new compression algorithms: 27 seconds

ZSPack, by default, uses a standard set of compression parameters when
compressing files.  These parameters can optionally be configured by using the
Warp '/w number' option.

New Warp values of '2', '3' and '4' may be applied in addition to the older
values of '5', '6', and '7'.  See the compression options subsection in the
ZipStream reference for further information.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. New Option for ZipStream Compress ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The ZipStream Compress utility  (zspack.exe) now has an option to compress
files that appear to be already in a compressed format.

Normally the utility will not attempt to compress files that appear to be
already in a foreign compressed format.  This default operation can be
overridden using a '/Z' switch e.g.

  zspack /Z filenames


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3. New Option for ZipStream Attach ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

A new option has been added to the ZipStream Attach  utility (zsattach.exe) to
cause it to attempt to reattach paths based on data in its persistent
connection database.

This operation is most useful when you have an attachment to a removable media
device such as a Diskette, that may not be present during system startup.

To cause reattachment to occur run the utility with a '/R' switch e.g.

  zsattach /r


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.4. New ReAttach Object ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Using ZipStream with removeable devices often requires the ZipStream drive to
be reattached.  This is a very common operation that is normally invoked by the
following command:

zsattach /r

To make things easier, we have added a ReAttach object (as shown above) to the
ZipStream folder that simply invokes this command.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Compression Ratios ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Many users ask for some idea of expected compression ratios that can be
achieved with ZipStream.

Examples

AmiPro for OS/2       54% or 2.20:1

WinWord v2.0         50% or 2.00:1

Various Games        50% or 2.00:1

FaxWorks for OS/2      60% or 2.56:1

IBM CSet++ V2.1       64% or 2.82:1

IBM OS/2 Toolkit       67% or 3.09:1

Quick Books         66% or 3.00:1

MS Money           59% or 2.48:1

MS Office          50% or 2.00:1

ZipStream's expected compression ratios that can be achieved with various user
file types.  A total of 25,000 files were sampled to obtain the following data.

Examples

WinWord Documents      68% or 3.78:1

C++ Source Code       83% or 5.98:1

Bitmaps           90% or 10.25:1

GCP Message Files      61% or 2.57:1


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. De-Installation of ZipStream ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

De-Installation of ZipStream is fully automatic if you did a standard
installation.

Warning: Prior to de-installation all compressed files should be decompressed
using the ZSUnpack utility.

To De-Install ZipStream, follow these instructions

1.  Insert the ZipStream diskette into the A: drive (or B: if applicable)

2.  Open an OS/2 Command Window  or

3.  Enter the following command a:zsinst -d (or b:zsinst -d )

That's all there is to it.  Should you have any problems, please contact our
technical support service.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.1. Manual De-Installation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

These notes are provided to assist users who have modified the standard installation.

1.  Edit your config.sys and remove the following lines

  IFS=x:\cbased\cbs.ifs

  RUN=x:\cbased\cbssvr.exe

 (where x: is your OS/2 boot drive)

2.  From the ZipStream installation diskette run

  zsinst -u

   This removes the WPS objects

3.  Reboot the system in the standard way.

4.  Delete the following files

  x:\cbased\cbs4mbs.dll

  x:\cbased\cbscompr.dll

  x:\cbased\cbsfsf.dll

  x:\cbased\cbsfsfs.dll

  x:\cbased\cbs.ifs

  x:\cbased\cbssvr.exe

  x:\cbased\zspack.exe

  x:\cbased\zsunpack.exe

  x:\cbased\zsattach.exe

  x:\cbased\zssync.exe

  x:\cbased\zsstatus.exe

  x:\cbased\zsquery.exe

  x:\cbased\zsreg.exe

  x:\cbased\zsdemon.exe

  x:\cbased\zsfold.ico

  x:\cbased\zstream.inf

  x:\cbased\zsfold.ico

  x:\cbased\zsnew.inf

  x:\cbased\order.inf

  (where x: is your OS/2 boot drive)


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Evaluation Period Timeout ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If you are using an Evaluation Copy of ZipStream, the transparent
compression/decompression system will cease to operate after 45 days from installation.

Files can always be interactively decompressed with the ZSUnpack utility after
the transparent compression system evaluation period has expired.

We suggest that after the evaluation period is up you run the ZSUnpack command
across all your system drives to decompress any compressed files.

e.g. zsunpack /s c:\ d:\


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Tips and Hints ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Tips and Hints section is designed to pass on information that we think may
help our users.  It also includes feedback that we have had from our customers.

If you have a good hint or tip please let us know and we will include it in
this section.

Latest Hints and Tips can be found on the ZipStream Web page at:

 http://www.CarbonBased.com.au


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.1. Copying Compressed Files to Diskette ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The best way to get compressed files onto a diskette is to copy them in their
compressed form from the host drive (non ZipStream) to the diskette.  This will
avoid copying of the uncompressed data to diskette which will in turn allow you
fit more compressed data on the diskette.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.2. Getting Started with ZipStream ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The best way to get started with ZipStream is to remember that you can proceed
at your own pace and use compression as the need arises.

ZipStream can be used in a way that is analogous to using your favorite zipping
package.  When you start running out of space, 'zip' something up with
ZipStream.  The advantage over the zipping package is that you still have 'on
the fly' access to your zipped files or applications and the advantage over
other 'on the fly' compression packages is that you do not have to commit
chunks of disk space to get started.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. Using ZipStream with ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This section provides hints, tips, warnings etc when using ZipStream with
various products.

Basically, any product that runs with OS/2 can run compressed from a ZipStream
path.

The only real areas where problems can occur is where you have an existing
product installed and then want to compress it.  Some products have information
keyed to their installation path so that compressing with the ZipStream utility
'zspack' and then running from the compressed path, may lead to problems.

We will continually expand this section based on user feedback and will try to
provide automated solutions where possible.  If you have a solution to a
problem with compressing an application, then let us know and we will add it to
this section in future updates.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.1. DOS ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

At this stage ZipStream is an OS/2 only 'on the fly' compression product.  We
will introduce some DOS support utilities in 1995, and we are planning to
develop a compatible 'on the fly'  version for DOS.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.2. FaxWorks ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Installing and then using Faxworks from a ZipStream path can be done with no
problems.  However, the Faxworks Device Driver must be loaded from a non
ZipStream path.

e.g.

Assume Faxworks is installed to the ZipStream path Z:\FAXWORKS which is a
mirror of D:\FAXWORKS.  The Faxworks device driver FMD.SYS must be loaded from
the D: drive not the Z: drive. i.e. The line

  DEVICE=Z:\FAXWORKS\FMD.SYS L

in config.sys must be changed to

  DEVICE=D:\FAXWORKS\FMD.SYS L

Compressing an existing copy of Faxworks will be successful, however, after
compression you must setup the new path configuration information for the
Faxworks software.

This can be achieved easily by starting Faxworks from an OS/2 command prompt
and issuing the following command:

 faxworks -L<newpath>

where newpath is the Faxworks compressed path. e.g.

Assume again that Faxworks is initially installed on the path d:\faxworks and
the compressed path is z:\faxworks.  Run the following command:

 z:\faxworks\faxworks -Lz:\faxworks


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.3. Galactic Civilizations ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

No problems occur with the normal use of Galactic Civilizations from a
ZipStream compressed path.

Installing the gcfix04.exe update for Galactic Civilizations on a ZipStream
path will cause the application to fail.  This problem is under investigation.
In the meantime you can install the update using the following method.

1.  Decompress the application with ZSUnpack.

2.  Apply the fix to the host path.  That is, do not apply the fix to the
    ZipStream path.

3.  Recompress the application again with ZSPack.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.4. IBM Works ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

No known compatibility problems exist with the Works product,  However, it is
recommended that you install Works to a ZipStream path rather than compressing
it after installation.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.5. OS/2 2.11 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

No real compatibility problems exist between ZipStream and OS/2 2.11 as such.

When accessing a shadow of a ZipStream path from the Workplace Shell, OS/2 can
display a dialog box similar to the one shown below.

Click on 'OK' or 'Cancel' as the message can be safely ignored.

This error is due to a problem with the OS/2 Workplace Shell.  A fix for this
is available from IBM in response to problem report APAR PJ11057. You can
obtain this fix as part of Fix Pak XR_A058.  This can be downloaded from IBM
OS/2 BBS sites around the world.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.6. OS/2 Warp Version 3 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

No real compatibility problems exist between ZipStream and OS/2 Warp Version 3
as such.

When accessing a shadow of a ZipStream path from the Workplace Shell, OS/2 can
display a dialog box similar to the one shown below

Click on 'OK' or 'Cancel' as the message can be safely ignored.

This error is due to a problem with the OS/2 Workplace Shell.  A fix for this
has been included in Fix Pak 10 (XR_W010) from IBM in response to problem
report APAR PJ16687.  This can be downloaded from:

o   CompuServe: GO OS2SUPPO

o   IBM BBS: Software Download Library

o   Internet: ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/ps/products/os2/fixes

o   Prodigy: OS2CLUB

o   America On Line: from the OS/2 Area


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.7. WORM Drives ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

ZipStream is not suitable for use with WORM (Write Once Read Many) drives.  The
reason for this that ZipStream uses lazy (background) compression, which means
that a file is first written to the disk in uncompressed form and then
compressed at a later time.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Problems Attaching to a Path ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Sometimes it is possible for ZSAttach to report an error when trying to attach
to an OS/2 path.

The most likely cause for this is that your config.sys will have a statement
similar to the one shown below:

  lastdrive=H

This statement can be safely deleted from your config.sys.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11. Using ZSUnpack from OS/2 Boot Diskettes ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If you find yourself in the situation where you must boot OS/2 from diskettes
and need to access compressed files, you can use ZSUnpack from the ZipStream
Installation diskette to decompress any files you need to access.

ZSUnpack requires several ZipStream support DLL's to function.  It is therefore
not sufficient to just copy the zsunpack.exe program to the OS/2 Installation
diskettes.  Running ZSUnpack from the ZipStream Installation diskette will
ensure that all the required DLL's are available.

Due to the virtual memory requirements of ZipStream, we do not recommend that
you try to establish the ZipStream transparent compression system from boot
diskettes.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12. Trademarks ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

ZipStream is a trademark of Carbon Based Software.

IBM OS/2 are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.

Pentium is a trademark of Intel Corporation.

ALL TRADEMARKS AND SERVICE MARKS ARE THE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE