Zip Files – some questions

I have a few questions regarding the DOpus zip file function, which I have enabled.

In the manual, page 113–115, the Zip file settings are described. On page 114, the settings option "Adjust file times using Opus ZIP file time zone information when available" is described, but I do not understand its ramifications: "Opus ZIP handling stores the time zone information from the computer which created the ZIP file. This allows you to transfer files across time zones and preserve the absolute dates and times of files and folders."

I checked by downloading the same zip file twice, once with this setting checked and once unchecked, and I then checked the zip file's date for Created/Modified/Accessed. However, it seems that this is not the times that are affected – they were all the same: my local time and date (I deleted the downloaded file and the Firefox cache before I downloaded the second time).

Then, I did the same (setting checked and unchecked) and I checked one of the unzipped folders and one of the unzipped files, but there is no difference at all.

So, I wonder what this setting actually does (in different words than in the manual, since I do not understand that explanation).

Second, when I unzip, the files and folders always unzip to an intermediate folder with the same name as the zip file. This is okay, but I would also want to add the switch "HERE', for instance, but I cannot find where the context menu ("Directory Opus ZIP") for zip files comes from.

Finally, can someone with experience tell at which zip file size (KB or number of zipped files) it pays to check "Use batch add / delete / extract".

Regards,

Hans L

The option only works in conjunction with zip files that are both created and extracted in Opus. When a zip file is created, Opus stores the source system's timezone in a comment in the zip file. Then this information is used on the target system to adjust the file times to the target timezone.

Okay, Jon, now I understand. I'll leave it checked then.

Anyone for second and third questions?

Regards,

Hans L

  1. You can't manually modify the special 'Directory Opus ZIP' context menu commands. To do what you'd like, you might be better off creating you're own ZIP menu with the commands you'd like there... that's what I do anyway.

  2. Can't say, don't use it myself. Might need to test (and if you do, post your results :slight_smile:)

Ah, did not know that. I will certainly do my own. Thanks!

My dad had a stop watch – don't know what happened to it. Seriously, how do you time these things. I could, of course, make one big dude zip and a small one, and I would know the speed difference without a stop watch, but in order to report results usable to others, I would need a stop watch of some kind (possibly one on the computer).

But I believed, from what the manual said, that the developers had data.

Regards,

Hans L

Batch mode greatly improves the speed when adding or extracting lots of files to zips. The size of the zip is also a factor, but the benefits of batch mode are mostly seen when there are lots of files involved.

I can't think of any drawbacks to enabling batch mode. I certainly have it on all the time. Not even sure it makes sense to still have it as an option, but maybe there are situations where it's undesirable.

Here is what the manual says about the drawbacks of batch add/delete/extract. I don't know if they are essential.

"Use batch add / delete / extract: When the batch modes are enabled, copying files from a local disk to a ZIP file, or extracting files from a ZIP file, or deleting files from a ZIP file is generally faster. Copying files from other ZIP files or FTP sites is not affected by this option.
Depending on the size of your ZIP file, batch copy mode may make a significant difference to the time taken to add files. If you mainly work with small ZIP files you will probably not notice any advantage in batch copy mode so you may wish to leave it turned off.
With batch copy mode enabled, some of the more advanced Opus features can not be used when copying into ZIP files. File filters do not work below the first level - that is, you can filter files that you have selected in the source folder, but if you have selected any sub-folders, their entire contents will be added to the ZIP file.
Another disadvantage is caused by the very nature of batch copy mode. Because the files you are copying into the ZIP file are added as a batch, they are not permanently written to the ZIP file until the very end of
the operation. So, if you abort a copy operation halfway through, the entire operation is aborted and the ZIP file is left unchanged.
Because the files are copied all at once as a batch, any confirmations or additional information needed for individual files must be supplied before the copy begins. For example, if you have selected ten files to copy
and have used the Copy As function to give them new names, you will be prompted for a new name for each of the ten files before the copy actually begins. If you are moving files, the original files are not deleted until the entire copy operation has completed.
Additionally, it is not possible for Directory Opus to discover if any individual files failed for any reason, and so you will not receive any error reports once the copy has begun.
The main disadvantage of the batch delete mode is that the delete operation can not be aborted. Once you confirm the delete operation there is no going back.
As with batch copy mode, any individual file confirmations must be given before the delete begins. It is not possible for Directory Opus to discover if any individual files failed for any reason, and so you will not receive any error reports once the delete has begun."

Regards,

Hans L

I'm scouring the manual, but so far, I have absolutely no idea how to create an equivalent to 'Add files to ZIP' menu item in All files and folers context menu, and then cascading context menu items (shown as a submenu). Feel free to let me know.

I'm continuing searching for a solution.

Regards,

Hans L

Okay, you select submenu and give it a name. I did that first, but nothing showed up. I then put an item in the submenu, and then, the thing showed up like this:

ZIP
Dadada

Now, the problem is that whereever I move ZIP, every existing item in the Context Menu becomes a subitem under ZIP. There must be a way to avoid this. If not, I am barking up the wrong tree.

Hans L

The right click mouse button is your friend while configuring submenus Hans.

Right click and choose Decrease Indent (or increase indent when you need that).

John, to some extent. If I move my ZIP submenu up so that I have two existing items becoming indented under it, I can only decrease indent for the second item, not the first, the one just under ZIP. There is no "Decrease Indent" in the right-click menu!

I guess that is because there must be at least one submenu item for the ZIP submenu to show. So, I need to create the items I want under ZIP and then unindent those I do not want under it.

Okay, I think that will work (just had to talk myself into it :slight_smile:

Thank for listening, John :slight_smile:

Regards,

Hans L

Just wanted you to know that I have just finished populating my ZIP submenu in the context menu of All files and folders. Works great. Thanks for your help.

Regards,

Hans L