From bytes to bits
Hear Me RAR
The non-free RAR compression tool offers some benefits you won't find with zip and tar.
Archiving files is like preserving your digital legacy in a time capsule. It gives you a safety net against unexpected computer crashes or data loss, ensuring you can always recover important files. That's why file compression tools are essential in the realm of Unix-based operating systems such as Linux.
As a Linux user, you're probably familiar with file compression formats such as zip and tar. However, you might also come across RAR files from time to time. Unlike zip and tar, RAR is commercial software [1]. You can use RAR for free for up to 40 days; then you'll need to buy a license, which currently costs around $29. You might be wondering why a Linux user would pay money for a non-free compression tool when zip and tar are available for free. The answer is that RAR offers some benefits when compared to the alternatives, including:
- Higher compression ratio: RAR often provides better compression ratios, resulting in smaller file sizes.
- Password protection: RAR allows for strong password protection, ensuring your sensitive data remains secure.
- File splitting: RAR's ability to split archives into smaller parts is handy for sharing or storing large files.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
AUR Repository Still Under DDoS Attack
Arch User Repository continues to be under a DDoS attack that has been going on for more than two weeks.
-
RingReaper Malware Poses Danger to Linux Systems
A new kind of malware exploits modern Linux kernels for I/O operations.
-
Happy Birthday, Linux
On August 25, Linux officially turns 34.
-
VirtualBox 7.2 Has Arrived
With early support for Linux kernel 6.17 and other new additions, VirtualBox 7.2 is a must-update for users.
-
Linux Mint 22.2 Beta Available for Testing
Some interesting new additions and improvements are coming to Linux Mint. Check out the Linux Mint 22.2 Beta to give it a test run.
-
Debian 13.0 Officially Released
After two years of development, the latest iteration of Debian is now available with plenty of under-the-hood improvements.
-
Upcoming Changes for MXLinux
MXLinux 25 has plenty in store to please all types of users.
-
A New Linux AI Assistant in Town
Newelle, a Linux AI assistant, works with different LLMs and includes document parsing and profiles.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Released with Minor Fixes
The latest Linux kernel doesn't really include any big-ticket features, just a lot of lines of code.
-
EU Sovereign Tech Fund Gains Traction
OpenForum Europe recently released a report regarding a sovereign tech fund with backing from several significant entities.