would anyone else care to take a crack at...

Creating good Zip files for Freebies (or Commercial Products)??

Just a thought, sort of a 'Freebies 101' (I think Freebies is the way to start, at least until you're good enough to actually sell something...;)

Things we should cover-

1. Etiquette - or why preceding your folder with !!! is tedious, and ultimately counterproductive

2. Organization- I hate to say this, but I remember in Dos how to get Pkzip to include the paths,
       but I'm having a brain @#$t trying to remember how to do it in Winzip (there's also RAR, but      that's another platform..;)

3. and while we're on pathways - maybe using some logic about

a) naming them something that calls to mind what it is, or what it does, and
b) maybe including your name so you get proper kudos when someone uses it (or remembers 6 months later they'd downloaded it, but forgot what the zip file was named)

4. Or failing putting your name in the folder name, including a descriptive 'readme' file including
   a) what your handle is, and how to reach you
   b) can it be used for commercial purposes, or not
   c) maybe what the filenames are, and where they go, folderwise

5. maybe a small picture of what it looks like, so that may give people a clue. Remember, a readme is a little advert you put in your zip file that puts you in touch with your customer, so make it work for you instead of against you..;)

Sorry if this sounds like a rant, but I'm almost at the point that I can start sending out simple, uvmapped props that don't look like they've been rendered with a blowtorch. I'd like to get off on the right foot.

I know you're busy (staff meetings, alumni associations, chasing secretaries...uh...never mind..;) And I know establishing a standard for zip or rar files between thousands of artists would be like herding cats, but I just thought maybe....;)

I wish I'd said that.. The Staircase Wit

anahl nathrak uth vas betude doth yel dyenvey..;)