15 replies to this topic

[Josh Bond]

Why is there a big difference in size? The zip file is twice as large as the exe file.

The exe is the self installing version. The commentary is identical but the size of the file is smaller because of much better compression. Zip files, as produced in Windows, use medicore compression. The exe files are produced by Innosetup and it uses much better compression.

[journey]

I want to offer my sincere thanks to Doctor Dave, his team, and Josh for both versions of the Expositor's Bible - topic and commentary. I have used the topic version and really enjoyed it. I'm now starting to use the commentary version, and I can already see that I'm going to enjoy it. Bluntly, this work is a blessing and represents many hours of hard labor on a huge undertaking. I am certain that God is going to use this work for His Glory, and I give thanks for it.

[APsit190]

The exe is the self installing version. The commentary is identical but the size of the file is smaller because of much better compression. Zip files, as produced in Windows, use medicore compression. The exe files are produced by Innosetup and it uses much better compression.

Josh,
I don't use Windows compression at all. I have a choice between Zip Genius and 7Zip. They really give the files a big squeeze. After having created the file as a zip file, I then convert them through Zip Genius as a SFX (exe) file. Compression rate for Zip Genius (depending on file size) is about 70+%. On the odd file I get it up to over 90% compression. Pretty good, eh mate.

Blessings,
Stephen (Php 1:21).

[Josh Bond]

I was looking at the Top 10 Downloads and was reflecting back on the Expositor's Bible project.

The topic files were uploaded on on October 26, 2011.

We added the commentary version on December 3, 2011

The total downloads before December 3 was 2,366. The total downloads after December 3 was 26,302.

Clearly, some people are downloading the topic version and the commentary version. But one thing that's also clear: People prefer a commentary by a huge margin. I do too, honestly. Commentaries receive more usage, where Topics tend to be "buried". I think that's true with a lot of people. So whenever possible, commentary format it is (at least for me).

[exscentric]

Commentaries are much more useable. To be honest I have yet to use the ref feature since it came out, most of MY study is from Bibles/commentaries.

[journey]

Yes, the commentary format is much easier to use. It's all automatic and linked with no separate searches or manual syncs. I exclusively use the commentary now for these reasons. I'm sure that they are harder to make, but I can tell you that I sure do appreciate that extra effort.