Why use GIF?

[splinter]

The GD image creation library (for use with many web programming languages) used to create images on-the-fly has been released to support GIF creation.

GIF creation support was removed as the author wanted to comply with the patent on GIF. This patent is over so GIF support has been reinstated.

The question I want to ask is: has it been worth the wait?

We have PNG now and although IE doesn't support PNG alpha transparency, you can still make them transparent in the same way you can make GIFs.

There are not many reasons to use GIFs anymore. MNG (Animated PNGs) should be used instead of animated GIFs in the near future as that is the only reason to use GIFs at the moment.

PNGs provide better compression and better quality images than GIF and also allow alpha transparency.

Why use GIF?

[paulhiles]

Originally Posted by splinter

Why use GIF?

that could well be a good title for this thread!

Especially when you have image formats such as Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) just waiting in the wings. A graphic that you can create by using just Notepad (if you were that way inclined!). Interactive qualities that can rival Flash, and text-based, meaning it will be totally spiderable. <sigh!>

One day perhaps, eh? ;o)

[splinter]

Originally Posted by paulhiles

that could well be a good title for this thread!

Was that a hint? :P

I was originally just going to post the info about GD having GIF support again, but then I went on a short rant against GIFs. It wasn't meant to be about that. :P

[paulhiles]

I guess the answer to why we're still using both GIF and JPG formats for the majority of web-based graphics is the ample support they have from the vast majority of browsers.

As far as I'm aware PNG transparency doesn't quite work with all modern browsers. To add insult to injury, the SVG plugin works fine in IE, but not in FireFox. Aaagghh!! anybody got another way of viewing the web other than with a browser? :o)

[splinter]

Originally Posted by paulhiles

Aaagghh!! anybody got another way of viewing the web other than with a browser? :o)

LOL. If only.

Maybe each browser should just display the source-code and we visualise it ourself?

[redcircle]

Originally Posted by splinter

We have PNG now and although IE doesn't support PNG alpha transparency, you can still make them transparent in the same way you can make GIFs.

Why use GIF?

That's the only reason to use GIF. :) stupid m$

[splinter]

Originally Posted by redcircle

That's the only reason to use GIF. :) stupid m$

But you can achieve the same affect with PNGs as you can with GIFs and these work in IE.

[redcircle]

Transparent PNG's do not work in IE.