how can i take advantage of the advertised compression for the files that i upload into my web-a-file.com account?

Answer by: George Kaloyanov, Aplus.Net Knowledge Base Support.

All files are put through a compression algorithm in order to minimize disk usage and reduce file size. File compression is very handy because it lets you reduce the overall number of bits and bytes in a file so it can be transmitted faster over slower Internet connections and take up less space. In order to have a given file compressed in your Web-a-File space, you have to choose the “compress file” option during the upload process otherwise your file will be uploaded and saved in real size on the server.

Important: The file compression feature is not supported with the free Web-a-File plans.

Here is how to use the Web-a-File compression feature:

Option1: Drag & Drop upload:

With the Drag & Drop tool you upload your files to the Web-a-File server using an ActiveX control. You have the option to upload a single file or whole folder. You just have to “Drag & Drop” your file / folder over the tool icon. Another option is to click on the tool icon and select your file(s) from your local folder tree. With this tool the files are compressed locally and afterwards uploaded to the Web-a-File server, which decreases your total amount of upload traffic.

1. Start by logging into your Web-a-File.Com account at: http://www.web-a-file.com using your username and password.
2. Browse to your Web-a-File folder that you’d like to upload the new files in.
3. Click the Upload Files button located in the left menu.

Option A: You can drag and drop from your Windows Explorer. Open it, select a file or a whole directory and drop it over the folder icon. As soon as your mouse cursor is over the icon, it will turn green and display the text "drop here". Drop the file / folder over it and a dialog window Backup Files to Web-a-file will open. Check the Compress backup file(s) checkbox in order to use the File Compression feature. Finally, click the Start Backup button to upload your file(s) to the server.

Option B: Click on the Drag & Drop folder icon and a Select Files to Backup dialog window will open. Select the file(s) that you’d like to upload to the server from your local machine and click “Open” and a Backup Files To Web-a-file dialog window will open. Check the Compress backup file(s) checkbox in order to use the File Compression feature. Finally, click the Start Backup button to upload your file(s) to the server.

Option2: Conventional Upload

The Conventional Upload tool allows up to five files to be uploaded at the same time. You can use this tool without ActiveX Control installed. With this tool the files are uploaded in real size and afterwards compressed on the server.

Note: If your browser supports ActiveX controls, we strongly recommend that you use the Drag & Drop Upload tool.

1. Start by logging into your Web-a-File.Com account at: http://www.web-a-file.com using your username and password.
2. Browse to your Web-a-File folder that you’d like to upload the new files in.
3. Click the Upload Files button located in the left menu.
4. Use the browse buttons to select up to five files from your local machine for upload to the Web-a-File server.
5. Check the Compress file(s) checkbox in order to use the File Compression feature.
6. Finally click the Upload Files button.