Hi guys
I need to compress a group of pictures so that i can send them via email can anyone suggest a good way to do this.Please dont get to techy as i really haven't got much of a clue how to do this kind of IT wizardry.
thanks for any help/advice.
neil..........

The two I have the most experience with are
Winzip
and
WinRAR

Google those and try them both.

7-Zip is free and quite good.

Have to agree with Scott either Winzip or Rar.

Winzip is free to use.

Technically, Winzip offers 45 days free evaluation after which you either purchase or delete completely.

Alternative - use freeware Zipgenius (http://www.zipgenius.com) or the 7-zip

Neil,

It's not the "BEST", but if you are running Windows XP or later (I think?), the operating system has a zip capability built in.

Using an explorer window like "My Pictures", highlight or select the pictures you want to "zip" or compress, then right-click to open a windows "action palette". Then move your cursor over the "send to" line and hold it for a second or two. This will cause a window to expand and then select the line "Compressed (zipped) Folder". A compressed file will be created in the same folder with the same name as the file that the cursor was over when you made the selection. You can also "drag and drop" pictures into a "Compressed (zipped) Folder" that you previously created or someone sent to you. See the picture below.



Now if the pictures are ".jpg" or JPEG files, they are already compressed some. You will need to use the above mentioned WinRar to compress a large number of JPEGs.

I hope this isn't too complicated?

There's also the option of copying the pictures onto a CD and mailing them...

Photoshop Elements has a feature that is easy and rally good. "Save for web" under File...it lets you pick the size, and shows you how it will look. By changing some variables such as physical size, or resolution. you can change the size of the ultimate product that you send. It also shows you what the finish will look like, and tells you how long (seconds) it will take for someone to open the file.
All this in pretty much one click to open, and one click to be done.

Matt

WoW
Thank you so much guys, your answers really have helped me alot...
Thanks again.
neil..............

Yes, nearly all image formats are compressed anyway.
your winzip type programs wont compress them much further.

All it will give you is that they are conveniently all in one file.

Doing things like reducing the resolution and image
quality will help reduce the size.

For photos saving as jpeg is probably the best compression you will get.
For logos and simple pictures like posters you probably better with gif or png.

Saving a photo as a gif can make it massively big.

There are very complicated maths as to why that is but those
are the 2 methods most used and available.

True but who does until one day it comes up and says buy it or gone.

Why I have my other copy

If you have adobe you can use it also.