What is gzip compression?

Content-Encoding

[nrpprioleau]

I am investigating some options for helping me speed up my web site but am not technical at all. I have been told by my web site designer that he can use some kind of compression technique called gzip. Can anyone explin to me how this works in laymans terms and possibly send me an example?

Much obliged!
Nic

[coopster]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld, nrpprioleau.

If the user agent is capable of receiving compressed content, the http server will accommodate, saving network bandwidth. If you are using Apache 1.3 you can use mod_gzip, an extension module to the world's most popular http server, Apache.

However, starting with Apache 2.0 a new module was introduced which allows supporting browsers to request that content be compressed before delivery. This module is mod_deflate [httpd.apache.org]. There are some examples in that link ... is that what you are looking for?