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Subject:Re: Flowcharts in web pages From:Sergej Rinc <sergej -dot- rinc -at- SKB -dot- SI> Date:Fri, 6 Jun 1997 07:55:47 +0100
Paul Ryken wrote:
> I have been requested to develop (Intranet) documentation for a call centre
> in New Zealand. They have previously had little documentation but what they
> have had has been in a flowchart format for their processes and procedures.
> They want / expect that this will convert quite nicely onto the Intranet,
> however, the though of all these images downloading on the web pages while
> the CSR's are talking to customers doesn't impress me no matter how fast
> the pipe or their machines are.
Though I can't give you tips for call centre intranet HTML
development, I would recommend you image formats to use (if images are
necessary for planned intranet).
First, for raster image types try fractal images by Iterated Systems's
patented technology (http://www.iterated.com or http://www.iterated.co.uk). The plug-in for viewing in the browser is
free and you can compress images by shareware Fractal Imager. Since
there is really near resolution-independent format (try magnifying demo
images on their site) and images are small size, I'm preferring this
image format - although JPEG is of course more spread arround. I'm not
really fond of wavelet image formats but you may have luck with them
(Summus Inc' WI image format is now supported in Corel Draw, Lightning
Strike also has great software and Compression Engines has now
stabilized their libraries for licenced HARC-C format).
And the second I would alternatively suggest some vector format since
flowcharts are essentially vector images. Though Macromedia's Flash is
getting larger user base I think you should try Corel Xara's Flare
format (http://www.xara.com). Their technology (and drawing engine!,
known from their's drawing program Xara) is by my opinion now the best
for vector image formats. Even better - the program Xara Webster for
making Flare images (among others!) is shareware (registration just
about $25) and gives you really cool, very compact vector images. The
plug-in is of course free.
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