| When you are ready to put your images on your website, there are a few adjustments you need to make first. There are two types of images (image formats) used on the web. One is called (CompuServe) Graphics InterChange (GIF) and the other is Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG or JPG). But most people just refer to them by their file extensions, GIF and JPEG. There is a third image format that sometimes can be used on websites. It is called Portable Network Graphics or PNG. But this format is not used much yet. Now you are probably asking yourself how to decide which type to use? You make your decision based on the image you plan to use. Does your image have a photographic quality? Does it have a lot of subtle color changes and a lot of detail? Then you would want to use the JPEG (also called JPG) format. When you use this format, the subtle colors and details are maintained. However, the trade-off is the file size. An image that has a lot of detail will cause a large file size and this large file takes longer to show on the webpage. But what about that other format, when do you use that? You use the GIF format when your image has large areas of the same color and few subtle details. An example of this type of image would be the art style you find in some comic strips. Also, if you would like part of the image to be transparent, then you have to use the GIF format. The GIF format allows for transparency where the JPEG format does not. Another benefit of the GIF format is the small file size, which allows the image to show on the webpage faster. Now that you have decided which format is best, how do you get your image into that format? The most common way is to use a graphic program such as Paint ShopTM ProR or PhotoshopR. These software programs have a feature called an optimizer. This optimizer transforms your image into a GIF or JPEG image and makes the file as small as possible. You will find at least one graphics program in every webmaster's toolbox. A second option is to find an optimizer service on the web, such as www.spinwave.com, that allows you to upload your image into an online optimizer and then download the altered image. However, this can become inconvenient because you must be online to use this service. You can search Yahoo and Google to find online optimizer services. A third option is to use a stand alone optimizer program such as WebGraphics Optimizer from Plenio Software Solutions or Advanced JPEG Compressor from WinSoftMagic DevelopmentTM. Most of these stand alone programs are shareware. Shareware means they are free to try and reasonably priced. You can use a search engine such as Tucows, ZDNet, and CNET Download to find and download trial versions of most shareware software. These sites not only provide instant downloads but also have the software rated as to popularity. Bella's Webmaster Resources - Shareware and Freeware |
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