how would I zip files?

[themacko]

This is a bit a newbie question (maybe) but I've never tried this on my Mac. I've got a bunch of pictures that I am going to sending to friends whom mostly are using using Windows, but at least one is on a Mac (not sure which OS).

Anyhoo, how would I go about zipping up these files? I opened up Stuffit but it only has the option to 'expand.' I'm pretty sure I can do this through the Terminal using UNIX commands, but I don't have a clue how! Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

[scruffy]

You're right that there is a commandline interface zip program included in OS X.

the short answer - if the files you want are all in the folder "photos"

zip -r photos photos.zip

will get everything in that folder into one zip file. You have to be at the same level as the folder full of photos, obviously - ie. if the folder is on the desktop, then first "cd Desktop" when you open the terminal.

the long answer - for all the possible options to the zip program, type

zip -h

to get the semihelpful help screen

[themacko]

great! thanks scruff

[Aussie John]

download stuffit lite

[HECTORdaBIZATCH]

Aussie John is right-- download Stuffit Lite from download.com or directly from Aladdin at http://www.aladdinsys.com/ ... It includes a program called 'DropZip' (as well as DropStuff and DropTar). Just drag a file or folder onto this application to zip it.

...the 'zip' command of course is always there in the command-line, this is just a little bit more friendly.

[Aussie John]

yes- I should have been a bit more expansive in my reply but was rushed for time.
What I do is drag the application icons to the tool bar. Presto - compression and expansion is all at your finger tips in the finder window for grag and drop.
Just another tip- I always turn off in preferences of drop zip - Macbinary to "never" as it seems to work with PC users all the time.

[themacko]

sweet, thanks again!

[Tigger]

I also used DropZip for some time, but then my lite version ran out, and I couldn't use it anymore.

I don't see why I should pay for just a simple thing like zipping files, and did it via Terminal for some time.
Recently, I made myself a nice Toolbar Applescript for this, so I just can drop the files on the Icon, and I don't have to pay for this.