Like when you send a .7z instead of a .zip or .rar to a friend or a teacher because that’s what your computer has installed and they’re like “Oh No, not one of those, now I have to install 7Zip” even though the same program that opens .rar also opens .7z I feel like people are way more annoyed when they receive a .7z

  • Hutch@lemmy.caEnglish
    6·
    1 year ago

    It’s much the same when I send .tar.gz / .tgz files. Folk get uppity about it not being .zip. I don’t bother with other formats purely because I know I can expand them anywhere without installing additional software.

    As for .rar, I always view them with suspicion. Dodgy.

      • Hutch@lemmy.caEnglish
        11·
        1 year ago

        I’ve never come across a legitimate use of RAR, you are quite right about the link to warez/virus/trojans and other malware but it will never shake that association. As for Kaspersky, I trust that steaming pile of Russian spyware even less.

          • Hutch@lemmy.caEnglish
            11·
            1 year ago

            Indeed, I don’t trust those either. As for RAR being “bad”, no I don’t agree with that - but I’ve only ever seen it used in that context. If someone sent me one it would raise an eyebrow, much more so than if someone sent me a .7z file. Likewise if I used it professionally, it would arouse suspicions amongst my peers more than if I used 7zip.

              • Hutch@lemmy.caEnglish
                11·
                1 year ago

                I scan all files already, so nothing new there.

                Personally I choose to not deal with RAR and use a format that isn’t proprietary, isn’t patent encumbered, and is FOSS. These are rational, evidence based choices. There are plenty of alternatives that fit my needs better as well as those of my clients and peers.

                  • Hutch@lemmy.caEnglish
                    11·
                    1 year ago

                    That’s correct: I use FOSS where possible, and if I must use closed source it must store data in an open standard.

                    As you insist on evidence: I can create and open 100% of my archives in all systems I use now or in the foreseeable future without installing additional software. RAR fails that test.

                    The other reason: RAR is a closed format, and like I said there are better alternatives that are not proprietary.

                    Likewise your philosophy is that RAR is best and you are free to have that opinion also without providing evidence.