Regarding excepted graphics formats..

Scott Anguish (sanguish@digifix.com)
Wed, 8 Feb 95 23:59:34 -0500


> > The Component Data, if provided SHOULD CONFORM TO:
> > * GIF or XBM inlined images * 8-bit mu-law voice audio *
> > Future applicable WebStep standards for document description
> >
>
> With the current Unisys/Compu$erve lock on .gif format, we are
> going to see a LOT of variation in inlined images, of whatever
> style, that use the LZW compression algorithm.
>
> I'd suggest that the WebStep group allow the .gif and .xbm which
> are currently in such widespread use, but promulgate jpg compressed
> tiffs as a replacement standard.
>

That won't work.... First, jpg is lossy... second, no web
browser I've
found other than OmniWeb load tiffs. There are also about
a zillion different
tiff formats that are just different enough to not load
properly..

A number of others have already been working on a
replacement for .gif... it looks really good, and has been
endorsed by
Compuserve...

- allows 24-bit,
- uses gzip style compression
- allows transparency like the current .gif does
- allows an ALPHA channel (like .tiff does now)
- there is a single byte ordering standard (unlike .tiff)

... furthermore, Microsoft isn't involved... and the LZW
problems are avoided
that exist even with some .tiff formats.

We need a single format that is widely excepted, not a
single flavour of a
much larger format.

Check out the docs... at

http://sunsite.unc.edu/boutell/png.html

> > For browsers/clients:
> > * Must be able to "open" .htmld by tacking on
> > "index.html", not by displaying the .htmld as a directory
> > listing.
> What about htmld's in URLs?
>

This is handled by the server provided that you set the
default document as index.html..

> > Inline jpeg should be supported, as well we should keep a close
> > eye on the gif-24 replacement that is currently being worked
> > out in comp.graphics and elsewhere.
>
> Also has anyone seen anything about the ".GEF" format which
> uses lzh compression in lieu of lzw? Legals about it?...
> Availability of the standard?
>

Its now called png, and the information is above.