GIF is NOW finally free - for real, with a final Unisys joke

Free Software Magazine ^ | 28 September 2006 | Tony Mobily

[ShadowAce]

[Jeff Chandler]

Now if only IE would fully support PNGs.

[Red Badger]

Aren't there software programs that convert gif's to bmp or tiff or jpg or crayola on the refrigerator formats?.......

[TChris]

I honestly don't see the point of GIF any more. It's limited to 8-bit color depth, and the files are bigger, hence slower to load, than JPEGs. Other than small animations, why would anyone stick with GIF?

(Yes, I understand the difference between lossy and lossless compression. I think the pitiful color depth and increased file size of GIF more than offset any minor visual quality issues of the JPEG format.)

[Campion]

It's limited to 8-bit color depth, and the files are bigger, hence slower to load, than JPEGs.

That's true for large photographs of real-world scenes, but not true for a lot of other graphic objects ... buttons and widgets for webpages, for example. And the 8-bit color depth is not much of a handicap for them, either.

[PAR35]

I wonder what the statute of limitations is for patent litigation. Perhaps SCO could buy the rights and start sueing folks after the patent expires and before the statute runs.

Any intellectual property lawyers out there who can tell if this would be viable? The former patent holder would probably be willing to make a fairly good deal on selling the expired rights.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

Yes, I understand the difference between lossy and lossless compression. I think the pitiful color depth and increased file size of GIF more than offset any minor visual quality issues of the JPEG format.)

Then you should also understand what lossy compression, like JPEG, does to graphic line art.

[glorgau]

The Software Freedom Law Center says that after 1 October 2006, there will be no significant patent claims interfering with employment of the GIF format.

Perhaps SCO will take up the banner (pun intended).

[mazack]

PNG caught on, but whatever happened to MNG?

[MikefromOhio]

STUPID UNIX TRICK:

[Where is Jimmy Hoffa?



Missing ]

[BritExPatInFla]

GIF's are also nice for cases where decent transparency is needed.

[Rum Tum Tugger]

I had always thought that CompuServe had invented the GIF format.

As for PNG, it's coming on strong. Macromedia's Fireworks uses it as its native layers format, and Dreamweaver encourages its use.

[TChris]

Then you should also understand what lossy compression, like JPEG, does to graphic line art.

I'm sure there are some specific uses where GIF excels. For most web graphic purposes though, it seems to me that JPG is the best option.

[rzeznikj at stout]

Another stupid *nix trick:

% wall "anything. Walls don't have eyes"

wall: can't read anything. Walls don't have eyes

[Fatuncle]

"Aren't there software programs that convert gif's to bmp or tiff or jpg or crayola on the refrigerator formats?......." Yes, I use one, ACD See, which used to be a free download, but for the full up version I think you have to pay. I got my copy in a bundle of software with a HP scanner, if memory serves. Nice program, very fast, and has several features superior to Adobe Photoshop Elements.

[Fatuncle]

GIF was marketed for drawings. That it has limited utility in applications for which it was not designed is not a fault.

[JoeSixPack1]

but.... but.... but..... jpeg crunching is such a peaceful past time......

[D-Chivas]

GIFs allow this: