Bob,
I think that it would be the best to serialize a file to a blob and than do
some compression over it. However I as well never tried to sent that with a
windowsservice.
When I am in doubt, I never bother about a solution until it really gives
problems. Don't forget that in this kind of forums, there are people who can
discuss endless about boxing and unboxing however about real problems that
affect the client, you see them write seldom. A customer thinks that means
that he will accept "some" waiting time when he/she can understand why. It
gives him/her by the way the natural rest moments he/she needs as well.
Your customer is the best test about the performance and feel and look from
your applications from which you can learn the most.
Just my thought,
Cor