How to compress better in ZIP
There are more formats in which we can compress data, but the most popular format is ZIP.
As we know, ZIP format became popular in `90s when everybody used WinZIP to compress their documents. But today WinZIP with version 10 use, instead of deflate method, deflate64, PPMd or bzip2 who breaks compatibility with popular ZIP decompression programs (Windows XP Compressed Folders, WinRAR, Linux distributions Archivers, etc.). These two methods aren’t that good anyway because we can produce better compression with deflate method using 7-Zip and sometimes faster with WinRAR.
ZIP Format – Tips & Tricks – 7-Zip
You will say to me that you download, install and run it, but WinZIP was better with the new compression methods. But after you will see below how easy is to achieve the best compression in the most popular and compatible format, you will give me some credit.
Archive format: Zip
Compression level: Ultra
Compression method: Deflate
Dictionary size: 32 KB
Word Size: 258
Parameters: pass=10
ZIP Format – Tips & Tricks - WinRAR
But is slow! Ok, you want something fast, compatible and a good compression overall? Why don’t you try WinRAR to compress in ZIP format, it produce smaller files than WinZIP with the standard deflate method.
Archive format: Zip
Compression method: Best
Remarks: By the "best compression" I don't mean maximum compression and the article is for Windows users.
Thanks to http://daydream.wordpress.com/2006/04/02/how-to-compress-better-in-zip/ for this how-to.