There is currently an imposing array of file types one encounters on the Internet. There are also many problems related to the compression formats that many files are subjected to on Internet servers.
Compression is a necessary protocol on the Internet for two reasons.
Compressed files take up less space on a host or server. Compressed files transfer faster over Internet lines. This is important to the user who must use up their valuable time waiting for a file to transfer to their computer. Anyone who has downloaded a large file over the phone line on a slooooooooow modem knows what what we mean by this. This web page will help you understand the many varieties of file types one might encounter on the Internet and what types of software you need to work with them.