LZ: Compression and patents

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LZ: Compression and patents

In regards to LZW compression vs. arithmetic:


I believe that LZW is no longer patented. I think Microsoft actually uses
it in the real-time compression interface in DOS 6 and later.


Arithmetic, however, I *know* is still patented--which is why the MRCI
doesn't use it, even though it is a better algorithm.


BTW--no algorithm works very well for code. I'd say 20 percent compression
would be very good. This means that this whole project might not have much
in the way of usable results! However, you might prove me wrong--I'd love
to see it. Plus, it would be a great learning experience!


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An insight from band:
  How do you get two oboes to play in unison? Shoot one!


Now, think about how difficult it is to get Congress and the President to 
  agree on anything!
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--Jon Niehof, jnieho38@calvin.edu