Re: FLASH: OT: AOL colors (was: A Contradiction??)

[Helen Triolo]

Neal Cabage wrote:

> 

> Have you ever seen 16bit/24bit images on an AOL browser when

> "image-compression" is on?  I don't know what's up here - but I found out

> while working on a site that AOL browsers come with this setting that

> actually "compresses" images (basically looks like they're being displayed

> at 8bit - aliases 'n all).  I don't know what's "really" going on here and

> was unable to obtain any specifics from AOL when prompted. All the same, a

> friend told me (I rarely use AOL) that this setting is actually the default

> setting on AOL browsers.  Perhaps it would be good for someone knowing more

> about this than I to comment more thoroughly.   all the same, this is

> potentially a good reason to stay with 8bit color whenever possible.  And

> that's before you get into the differences in files size comparing an 8bit

> file, to a 16bit, or 24bit image (compression aside).


What AOL calls "compressed images" is indeed the default setting

(perhaps to save on download time?), and most users don't know that it's

on or that they can change it.  The first thing I do when I see AOL on a

client's machine is go into the www settings (OK, yes, I ask them first)

and uncheck that compressed images box.  I have yet to encounter someone

who isn't glad when they can see images the way they were supposed to be

seen.  I don't think AOL's default settings are a good reason for us

designers to stick with 8-bit colors, though--better to design a good

site and show the people that care how to see it correctly.


my two cents,

Helen

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