compression

Browser maker Opera Software has released a test version of software called Opera Turbo, designed to use compression and the company's own servers to speed browsing over slow Internet connections.

Opera Turbo runs on a person's PC, fetching data not just from the original Web site but also from an Opera server that compresses that site's text and images on the fly, Opera's Roberto Mateu said in a Friday blog post about Opera Turbo.

That's useful when grappling with overtaxed wireless networks, slower broadband wireless cards, or Net connections through a mobile phone, the Norwegian … Read more

Last December, James May, co-host of the UK car show "Top Gear," flew to LA to test drive the Honda FCX Clarity prototype, which he calls "the most important car since the car was invented."

The Honda FCX Clarity is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle that uses compressed gas to generate electricity and power the car's electric motor. The Clarity has a driving range of 280 miles per tank, delivers 135hp, can travel up to 100 mph, and can reach 60 mph from a standstill in under 9 seconds.

The video clip made it onto … Read more

Playing with sound files is something not all of us aspire to do in any greater detail than clicking "Buy Now" in iTunes. But this is one of those cool Mac niches that is filled with possibilities you might not have thought about before.

For instance, have you ever wished you could easily record a phone call for a job interview? How about automatically record your favorite radio program from the Internet, even if it's on in the middle of the night? Ambrosia Software's WireTap Studio, recently updated to version 1.0.8, is an inexpensive … Read more

While we could have done without the product pushes, this free file compression tool delivered good results. We especially liked its drag-and-drop functionality for creating new zip files.

There are three ways to access TyphoonZip's user interface: desktop shortcut, taskbar shortcut, and your context menu. The interface is nice to look at, and very easy to navigate. It consists of one window, with prominent command buttons for creating new zip files, opening zip files, and more. When right-clicking on the taskbar icon, we were a little put off by the long list of extra tools that require you to … Read more

Compress executables and protect apps, but don't expect any hand holding from this program. eXPressor's tightly-stuffed dialog-sized checkbox and pulldown packed interface will make sense only to those few destined to appreciate this app. Those who don't create applications for fun and profit should move along. There's nothing to see here.

Those left reading will like eXPressor's simple setup and operation. Packing an executable takes as little as a pair of clicks. Of course, users can complicate the process by choosing from numerous compression engine options. The program helps the process through helpful warnings and … Read more

The misleadingly named PIM is an adequate, but uninspiring archiving tool amid a sea of more capable multifunction utilities. However, what this program lacks in features, it makes up for in the power of its compression algorithm. It doesn't offer much in the way of an interface, relying on window menu items or an incomplete set of shortcut keys to access its functions.

PIM delivers on its promise of creating smaller compressed files (compared with a ZIP file), using its proprietary format, and it opened ZIP files as expected. Its minimal options/settings window lets you easily associate the … Read more

The file compression field is tightly packed, and this freeware app offers little to get users to switch. Cyber Archive's very basic button and file list interface is easy to learn and operate. The few logically placed commands make it easy to quickly remember program operation even when it's used infrequently. That's important as the publisher neglected to supply a Help manual.

Cyber Archive compresses any kind of file. So do most archivers. The app lets users drag and drop files to the interface to easily construct archives. But so do most archivers. You can easily select … Read more

Although it's easy to compress and reconfigure select Microsoft Office files with this useful utility, NXPowerLite's short 10-use demo is on the stingy side.

Still, anyone who can use Windows Explorer can use this tool. The dialog-size interface merely displays a list of files chosen to compress, a pull down menu to choose compression level, and an Optimize execution button. NXPowerLite works on Word, PowerPoint, and Excel file formats since Office 97.

The application offers five compression options from the quick Normal to the slower but more precise High Quality. Also included are a custom set of compression … Read more

This file compression tool offers the convenience of previewing an entire file before extracting it, and it does so free of charge.

Zipeg for Windows has a very simple interface that will appeal to all users. The minimal command buttons allow you to open files, and extract and preview them. There is also an Options button that lets you select the file you would like the program to open by default, and also where to place the destination file. When we opened a compressed file, the file's contents were displayed in the main window. Hovering the mouse over each … Read more