14 DAY TRIAL // As I have told you two weeks ago, PeaZip is going to pass to a higher level and change from version 1.5 to version 1.6. The developer kept its word and succeeded today in launching the new version, just as promised.
The application is still free and better than ever before. The minor changes range from updating the usability and functionality of the application to modifying the look and feel of the software. The context menu has also been changed and additional options are available now. The user can quickly archive a file or folder into 7Z or ZIP formats. Unfortunately, my wish did not come true and I will have to wait for a future version in order to see the dynamic menu I was craving for.
Although the application integrates perfectly with Windows, the context menu is a bit hidden and getting it out of the Send To section would be an advantage. Anyway, this mischief has been present since earlier versions of the application and old users are familiar to this aspect.
During installation, the application will let you choose what options should be available in Windows Send To menu. The user is free to add the self-extracting file shortcut, or "Quick add to separate 7Z/ZIP", archive integrity testing option or quick encryption. Quick adding a file to a ZIP or 7Z compression is also available and you have to admit that having these options in a context menu will definitely make a difference in speeding up your archiving needs.
But I guess the most visible change and the most wanted by many users is represented by the additional formats the application can manipulate. The list has been enlarged with four new archive formats: PET/PUP for Puppy Linux installers and PK3/PK4 (package files used in Quake 3 and 4 and in Doom 3).
The Options menu has also suffered some changes. Some of you may notice that the PeaZip tab is much more functional and some of the options formerly located in the late "Other Binaries" have been moved in here. Other Binaries tab has been eliminated completely and its place has been taken by Localization. PEA and Theming are exactly the same as in the previous version and the same opacity option is available.
Some of the improvements of the application include password related additions. You can enable the "Show password field content" and gwrap (graphic wrapper) will automatically close at the end of the job (you can enable this option from the job window, too).
During the compression you should be able to view an estimated time to complete the job. Unfortunately, this option is not implemented too well in the application as in my case all I could see were some question marks instead of elapsed time and speed values.
Upon extracting a protected compressed file, PeaZip will automatically prompt you with the Password screen, a feature unavailable in the previous version. 1.5 edition of the application would have just displayed an error message instead of popping-up the much needed dialog.
During the wrapping process, the new edition of PeaZip will allow the user to stop the operation (only in case of large archives because smaller ones will complete in no time). Setting the window to close automatically after the completion of the job is a snap.
All the new features and options do nothing but improve the application and despite the fact that PeaZip is no where comparable with WinZip or WinRar it represents a very good alternative for the home user. The downsides of the program are minor but speed and ease of use more than make up for the missing features.
There is no support for more secure encryption algorithms like the above mentioned but you have support for unwrapping 26 archive formats. Additionally, the application can be used on Linux just in case you have a change of heart.
The Good
Version 1.6 is definitely an improvement of the application. Considering the little time between the updates one has to appreciate the effort.
Prompting for password when a protected archive is to be unwrapped is a step forward towards the usability and functionality of the program.
The Bad
The context menu would still be an issue and despite the fact that I have not mentioned it in the previous review, that does not mean that it should be overlooked.
Also, adding time estimation to job completion must be taken into consideration, despite the fact that in my case only question marks were displayed. At first, I thought that the files were too small and there was no time for analysis, but giving it a shot to larger files the same result was achieved.
The Truth
I have confidence that the developer will fix the issues mentioned here and fulfill the wishes of the users as it proved to be very nimble more than once.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
