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Thread: [RESOLVED] Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

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    Resolved [RESOLVED] Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    Sometimes, attaching large zip files can't be avoided. The forum, however, only allows 500 KB or less for zip file attachments. Would it be possible to increase or remove that limit (without breaking existing forum functionality)?

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    Super Moderator FunkyDexter's Avatar
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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    This seems like a sensible measure to me. Any time a member can't post their code here they're going to end up hosting it on a third party site like GitHub. We lose the ability to do thing like virus detection and we also lose continuity if the files are removed from those sites.

    Anecdotally it sounds like the size limit is lower for zip files than it is for other file types as well. Is there a reason for that difference? It's leading users to change file extensions etc.

    and 500K sounds pretty small in this day and age.
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    Administrator Steve R Jones's Avatar
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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    Thanks for bringing this up... DOCX file type size has now been lowered to match most of the other file types. It appeared to have been a TYPO....

    ZIP's are set at 512K which is the max size that many of the others files are set to.

    Since the site has been up and running for a long time with the current settings odds are we'll keep them where they are.... But I'll look into it.

    Finding a third party FTP type of site would be the simple thing to do.

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    Super Moderator si_the_geek's Avatar
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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    You can work around the limit in some situations by uploading multiple zip files instead of just one, such as one for code and one for data files.

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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve R Jones View Post
    ZIP's are set at 512K which is the max size that many of the others files are set to.
    Sigh. It's really difficult when the forum is handicapping you.

    Quote Originally Posted by si_the_geek View Post
    You can work around the limit in some situations by uploading multiple zip files instead of just one, such as one for code and one for data files.
    Yeah, I have considered that but have decided against it because it is more inconvenient for the user (the user has to download extra file(s) and make sure to extract each to the correct location; additionally, some users might have some difficulties following instructions, even when it's written in plain English [e.g., non-English speakers]).

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    Super Moderator FunkyDexter's Avatar
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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    Let's face it, some of the English speakers too

    I've got to say, 512K does sound small to me if people are wanting to upload full sets of working source. It wouldn't even cover a modern mobile game. I've no idea what the disk resources etc. backing the forum up are but it seems that increasing that limit can only benefit us if it's possible to do so. Otherwise people host off-site with all the inherent problems. Anything that keeps traffic here is a good thing.

    That said, if the limit's there for a reason we may just be stuck with it.
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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    Quote Originally Posted by Victor Bravo VI View Post
    Sigh. It's really difficult when the forum is handicapping you.
    One Drive, Google Drive and DropBox are the three FREE file sharing apps that I can remember that I have.

    How many do YOU have?

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    Administrator Steve R Jones's Avatar
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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    I emailed TPTB this morning.

    Door #1 - increase the size for ZIP files.
    Door #2 - ADD 7-Zip file type that does a better job at compressing.

    (((STAY TUNED)))

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    Super Moderator FunkyDexter's Avatar
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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    Ooh, I've seen several members ask for 7Zip to be added in the past. That would certainly go down well I think.
    The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter - Winston Churchill

    Hadoop actually sounds more like the way they greet each other in Yorkshire - Inferrd

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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    7-zip compression isn't going to be enough better to make a difference. And once you increase attachment limits people just hit their user limits sooner, moving the problem again.

    Offsite hosting also presents the problem that an older thread can turn to trash as the links go dark.

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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve R Jones View Post
    One Drive, Google Drive and DropBox are the three FREE file sharing apps that I can remember that I have.

    How many do YOU have?
    I actually don't have any registered accounts with those, except maybe Google (isn't it that only one account is necessary to access all of Google's services? If so, then I guess I probably already have a Google Drive just waiting to be activated). I used to have a free ADrive account, but they have discontinued free accounts some time ago.

    My primary objection with 3rd party file hosting/sharing sites is that they make downloading files a bit more inconvenient for the user (navigating away from the forum takes some time and when they arrive at the 3rd party site, they have to hunt for the download button/link). Also, there are some countries that blocks these kind of sites (e.g., China currently blocks all 3 of them). As much as possible, I would like downloading my code examples to be a breeze, hence I would like them to be attached directly to my post.

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve R Jones View Post
    I emailed TPTB this morning.

    Door #1 - increase the size for ZIP files.
    Door #2 - ADD 7-Zip file type that does a better job at compressing.

    (((STAY TUNED)))
    Thank you! I really hope they respond positively.

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    ex-Administrator brad jones's Avatar
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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    We've talked about the file sizes before on this or some of the sister sites to VBforums. The best solution if it is code being passed around is to use GitHub and to have files listed there. It should have some checks in places as well. Using file sharing sites like drop box or google docs has been talked about before, but I'd be a little leery of pulling files from those locations (especially compressed) because you won't know what is in them.
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    PowerPoster wqweto's Avatar
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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    The trouble with multi-part zips is that the forums prevent uploading .z01 files and any other partial archive files the zip got split into.

    cheers,
    </wqw>

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    Administrator Steve R Jones's Avatar
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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    Manually created multi zip files don't have that problem.

    THANKS BRAD.

    Victor - try this test from Microsoft's One Drive:
    https://1drv.ms/t/s!AhJC1SnOOpu7gUrC...iZA-W?e=N1iWcr

    It's a straight shot.

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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    I get "ONLINE STORAGE SITE BLOCKED".
    That is one disadvantage for me from work. Can't access those offsite file hosting sites.
    But then again, I can't see any of the images inserted in the posts either, as those could contain hidden code, so they aren't allowed to be processed through the company network. Have to wait until I get home...
    "Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment" Robert Benchley, 1930

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    Administrator Steve R Jones's Avatar
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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve R Jones View Post
    I emailed TPTB this morning.

    Door #1 - increase the size for ZIP files.
    Door #2 - ADD 7-Zip file type that does a better job at compressing.

    (((STAY TUNED)))
    The Powers That Be wrote back-> DONE & DONE
    The new size for both is 1,024,000

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    Re: Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve R Jones View Post
    Victor - try this test from Microsoft's One Drive:
    https://1drv.ms/t/s!AhJC1SnOOpu7gUrC...iZA-W?e=N1iWcr

    It's a straight shot.
    Yes, it works fine for me. But, that is to be expected since my ISP doesn't block anything.

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve R Jones View Post
    The Powers That Be wrote back-> DONE & DONE
    The new size for both is 1,024,000
    Awesome! We can't thank you enough!

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    Re: [RESOLVED] Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    Paypal donations can be sent to ILoveMoney@MakeMeRich.org

    Or we can remember this day as a CREDIT to be applied towards a "Failed Request."

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    Re: [RESOLVED] Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    Thanks for increasing ZIP file limit.

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    Re: [RESOLVED] Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    Wow I was just about to come ask for this too since the upcoming version of my TLB is set to be just over 500k with just the bare minimum of things I didn't want to separate.

    Thanks guys.

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    Re: [RESOLVED] Can The Size Of Zip File Attachments Be Increased?

    This forum also lacks upgrades and maintenance, and may disappear forever one day, so have good code, try to download and save it to your own computer.The uploaded images are also compressed so that they are completely unviewable, and the sharpness is too poor. Now JPG, PNG should be able to reduce the capacity, but it has almost no effect?

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