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What in the world do these funny extensions mean?

JPEG: Comes from Joint Photographic Experts Group. It uses a lossy compression method that is best for photographs. However, each time you save a JPEG file, it gets worse.

GIF: Graphics Interchange Format. It uses a lossless compression method but only supports 256 colors. It is best for drawings and graphics that have large areas of exactly the same color. It also supports animation.

PNG: Portable Network Graphics. It was intended to replace GIF since GIF is a proprietary method. PNG supports millions of colors as well as animation. Older browsers do not understand PNG graphics.

BMP: A Windows-only type of bitmap image. It is uncompressed and generates huge files. Never uses this on the web unless you want your viewers to think you are a complete tyro.

General Information Where to Get File Format Specifications. Meanings of file format extensions Glossary of Internet terms The Graphics File Format Page Color Depth Information Color Depth Definition Resolution and color depth information. BMP Files BMP File Format Explanations GIF Files ATPM Indiana University Knowledge Base Graphics Interchange Format© - Version 89a

JPG Files Joint Photographic Experts Group PNG Files Official Portable Network Graphics Home Site (Mirror) A Basic Introduction to PNG Features TIFF files The Unofficial TIFF Home Page TIFF File Format Specifiation (PDF File)

Last updated 08/27/03