>>> Zipping is only done as a quick way to determine download was
>>> succesful, without need for md5sum.
>I think this is silly. The 32 bit CRC used in ZIP is even weaker than MD5.
>Zipping the files puts a burden on the generator (takes time)
Yep, 5 seconds
> and the user (takes time, space)
Time: 5 seconds
Space: never fill your PC up till the last Gb, same is true for all
wikimedia downloads.
> and in this case actually increases the download.
Yep 0.1%
>Plus the determination whether the download was successfull needs to be
>done without ZIP or MD5sum, anyway, because these could be easily forged.
I'm talking transfer errors only.
>Digitally sign the files, and put up instruction on how to verify the
>signature.
I have other things to do.
Erik Zachte