[Lolwutman]

So, I've been reading up a bunch of articles about "FastDL" and so on, and I came upon these "theories";

1. A map needs to be BZ2 or else it won't work. It can be done with 7zip.
2. A map needs to be BZ2 or else it won't work. It can be done with bzipper
3. You don't need to BZ2-ip it because it just makes the file size small but gives more DL time.
4. It's not necessary to BZ2-ip any map, but recommended.

I understand NOTHING. Actually, I know that it compresses so there's less file size but, what benefit does that really give? Less limit for your webserver? Faster download? Or both?

This is what I don't understand, to BZ2 or to not BZ2.

And an on-topic side-question, does it matter if I use bzipper instead of 7zip or 7zip instead of bzipper?

[Powerlord]

(The full name is BZip2 btw, not BZ2-ip)

You don't have to BZ2 content. In fact, doing so for already compressed files (such as mp3) will likely make the file larger.

There are a few major benefits to using BZ2ed files on FastDL:

• Reduces the amount of storage space used on your FastDL host.
• Reduces the amount of bandwidth used by your FastDL host.
• For most files, it reduces the total amount of time spent downloading as BZ2 is fairly quick at decompressing and can take advantage of multiple cores.

[Mitchell]

Have you ever uploaded a map to your fastdl compared to the bziped map? It takes relatively 5x longer. (especially for huge maps on bad internet connections timing out.)

[PresidentEvil]

whats so confusing

if I have a 100mb map, why take 60 seconds to download it when you can compress it to 40-60mb, put it on a fastdl server and download in 30 seconds


no compression is not required, but why not take an extra step and save your clients bandwidth and time wasted

[Lolwutman]

I see, so BZip is actually useful. It's just that I saw a site about some guy (very stupidly, but I wanted to be sure) saying that BZip is useless and doesn't do anything but reduce the amount of storage space.

Thanks, I'll make sure to always BZip my maps.

But should I use 7zip or Bzipper2 or it doesn't matter?

[captaindeterprimary]

Originally Posted by Lolwutman I see, so BZip is actually useful. It's just that I saw a site about some guy (very stupidly, but I wanted to be sure) saying that BZip is useless and doesn't do anything but reduce the amount of storage space. Thanks, I'll make sure to always BZip my maps. But should I use 7zip or Bzipper2 or it doesn't matter?

Bzipper2 is nice because it will compress in bulk.