Information - Images (AOL users)
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Extra notes for AOL users -
I have discovered (from a discussion list) that graphics when viewed through AOL in MS Internet Explorer suffer extra compression, this is apparently done to reduce bandwidth and load times but can render images very poorly. From what I have read it is advisable to use Netscape Navigator when connected to AOL or to turn the image compression off in Explorer - below is a quote from the mail list on how to do this (I cannot verify the accuracy of these instructions as I neither use AOL or Explorer) -
"AOL's default in Internet Explorer for Web Graphics
is "Compressed". That can be changed by going in "My
AOL" and then Preferences. Go to WWW, which will bring up
the Internet Explorer preferences. Click on the tab for
"Web Graphics" and then click to remove the Check Mark
on "Use Compressed Graphics"
It does
help. I also run Netscape Navigator while logged on to AOL and
it gives a good presentation of web sites." (End of
quote)
A further note from the discussion list regarding colours used by AOL's browser -
"Subject: AOL Browser Compression/Graphics
In addition to the browser compression choice in AOL's Members/Preferences, there is another area that might help visitors. (At the same time, it probably means getting too technical.)
On the Preferences/Graphics page, one can choose the maximum disk space to use for online art and JPEG compression (option: 60-100). At the bottom of the page, one can click on "Set Color Mode" which deals specifically with color preferences.
One can choose "Detect automatically," AOL's default; 16 colors, 256 colors, or more than 256 colors. The suggestion on the page: if viewer has problems displaying graphics, be specific about which to use, rather than letting AOL auto detect."
I strongly suggest that the images used on my pages are viewed with the highest number of colours possible.