-# create the tarball and the md5sum
-cd $TMP_DIR && sudo tar cvjf $RELEASE_DIR/$RELEASE_NAME.tar.bz2 * && cd ..
-cd $RELEASE_DIR && md5sum $RELEASE_NAME.tar.bz2 > $RELEASE_NAME.tar.bz2.md5 && cd ..
+echo "+ Creating the tarball. Please be patient..."
+cd $TMPDIR && sudo tar cJf $RELEASE_DIR/$RELEASE_NAME.tar.xz * && cd -
+
+echo "+ Creating the md5sum..."
+cd $RELEASE_DIR && md5sum $RELEASE_NAME.tar.xz > $RELEASE_NAME.tar.xz.md5 && cd -
+
+echo "+ Finished $RELEASE_DIR/$RELEASE_NAME.tar.xz ($pkgnum packages)"