The Exact Same Thing

For a while, i simply did not know what a hash was... or what is meant by a 'hash function'.

A hash is a cryptographic function that takes a string of data, and spits out a unique 'fingerprint' to represent it (called a digest). The best hash functions are able to take a very large amount of data (say... 20 gigs) and produce a different digest even if one single bit changes somewhere in the code.

A hash function is useful for checking the integrity of a file, For example, if your going to send a large file, it might be a good idea to break the file into parts, and include an MD5 or SHA1 with it. This lets your receive know if they get what the think is a corrupted file in the batch they can: 1) know for sure by hashing the files and comparing it to the sent digest, and 2) simply re-download the bad piece.

I found a really nice app that's very useful when it comes to hashes... Its called ExactFile and i highly recommend YOU get it and use it.

And to anyone out there that going to send a large amount of data (Such as someone that's going to post a large torrent -- hint hint) it would be nice of you to archive your files into a set of split files (like 50 meg RAR files) and provide an MD5 (or better yet SHA512) with it.

Exact file can create a digest for a single file, or a folder of files... it can take a file/group of files and check them against a digest as well... it can make a windows association to with hash formats (like an *.MD5 file) so all you have to do is open the digest to start checking the file (it finds it). and even if that .MD5 file really has a SHA1 digests in it, its able to figure out that the MD5 files is not an MD5, and will check the file(s) against SHA1. You can also create multiple Digest types for multiple files and store them in a single digest file... Its also multi-thread so your dual core can do 2 files at once, or 2 functions at once... You can create an Applet for your users, so they don't have to use exact file: They can run the applet and the app will hash and check the files...

God I'm so sick of trying to sell this app... its so damn useful... and its FREE...

And it could have saved me a few days of downloading had you SPLIT THE FILES & USE THE DAMN PROGRAM... it takes 30 seconds, to 10 minutes... to help THOUSANDS of people.

And BTW, the MD5 for the picture is: 4ed71eb4a98becfad2cbc15197aacf78