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Mention that gzip files end in ".gz", not ".z".
author Jim Blandy <jimb@redhat.com>
date Mon, 14 Jun 1993 15:12:07 +0000
parents 784262b28079
children 6fcc2c9a1857
comparison
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3726:33e82e88a210 3727:87bd6540514f
34 confident getting copies straight from us, or if you would like to get 34 confident getting copies straight from us, or if you would like to get
35 some funds to us to help in our efforts, you can order one from the 35 some funds to us to help in our efforts, you can order one from the
36 Free Software Foundation. See `/pub/gnu/GNUinfo/DISTRIB' and 36 Free Software Foundation. See `/pub/gnu/GNUinfo/DISTRIB' and
37 `/pub/gnu/GNUinfo/ORDERS'. 37 `/pub/gnu/GNUinfo/ORDERS'.
38 38
39 * What format are the *.z files in? 39 * What format are the *.gz files in?
40 40
41 Because the unix `compress' utility is patented (by two separate 41 Because the unix `compress' utility is patented (by two separate
42 patents, in fact), we cannot use it; it's not free software. 42 patents, in fact), we cannot use it; it's not free software.
43 43
44 Therefore, the GNU Project has chosen a new compression utility, 44 Therefore, the GNU Project has chosen a new compression utility,
45 `gzip', which is free of any known software patents and which tends to 45 `gzip', which is free of any known software patents and which tends to
46 compress better anyway. As of March 1993, all compressed files in the 46 compress better anyway. As of March 1993, all compressed files in the
47 GNU anonymous FTP area, `prep.ai.mit.edu:/pub/gnu', have been 47 GNU anonymous FTP area, `prep.ai.mit.edu:/pub/gnu', have been
48 converted to the new format. Files compressed with this new 48 converted to the new format. Files compressed with this new
49 compression program end in `.z' (as opposed to `compress'-compressed 49 compression program end in `.gz' (as opposed to `compress'-compressed
50 files, which end in `.Z'). 50 files, which end in `.Z').
51 51
52 Gzip can uncompress `compress'-compressed files and `pack' files 52 Gzip can uncompress `compress'-compressed files and `pack' files
53 (which also end in `.z'). This is possible because the various 53 (which end in `.z'). This is possible because the various
54 decompression algorithms are not patented---only compression is. 54 decompression algorithms are not patented---only compression is.
55 55
56 The gzip program is available from any GNU mirror site in shar, tar, 56 The gzip program is available from any GNU mirror site in shar, tar,
57 or gzipped tar format (for those who already have a prior version of 57 or gzipped tar format (for those who already have a prior version of
58 gzip and want faster data transmission). It works on virtually every 58 gzip and want faster data transmission). It works on virtually every