Though I'm not certain if a Windows version exists, under Linux & BSD there's a compression program named bzip2. I've found that it tends to compress files somewhat better than ordinary zip. For instance, a binary system log file that's created where I work is limited to a size of two megs prior to it being swapped out. However, not wanting to just delete the file, I have a script that mails it to me after being compressed. With typical zip the resulting filesize was roughly 1.8 megs. Bzip2 compressed it to 1.4. A marginal savings, I'll admit, but it's space savings 'for free,' as it were.
Of course, my findings are relative. As someone above had mentioned, it all depends on the type of data. In my case, the log was already partially compressed. I'd imagine textual data would show a better compression ratio.
Of course, my findings are relative. As someone above had mentioned, it all depends on the type of data. In my case, the log was already partially compressed. I'd imagine textual data would show a better compression ratio.