That's helpful when transmitting E-mail or downloading information from the Internet, because compressed files take up less space and take less time to transfer.
Compression eliminates unnecessary information, such as empty fields and redundant data.
A compressed file must be expanded to its original size or a size close to it before it can be used. But compression software can help reduce the time needed to perform these tasks. Buckingham compares transmitting a file over the Internet to passing a grapefruit through a soda straw. Lossy applies to graphics, audio and video files. Compared with an hour of text, an hour of music needs 1,000 times more space, and an hour of video up to 1 million times more space.