TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: PNG and Browser compatibility From:Arlen P Walker <Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- jci -dot- com> To:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com Date:Fri, 05 Nov 1999 09:55 -0600
>We've started using PNG files because they're clearer than GIF's. So far
>they work well in Netscape (v4.7) and IE (v5.0) where I've tested them.
>Are there browsers that don't display PNG?
Have to admit I haven't prowled the OSI website throughly, but in the
half-dozen or so pages I saw there, I didn't run across a single PNG; they were
all GIFs. I know it when I hit a PNG; the plug-in I use announces itself. I'm
using Netscape 4.08
Here's what I know about them. Some of the information may be dated. The source
is the PNG pages at Walnut Creek (http://www.cdrom.com/pub/png/pngapbr.html).
Their list of browsers goes on for quite a length.
IE 4.5 for Mac (current version): None at all. Win95 support started with
spotty support in v4.0. Alpha channel support still not there reliably.
iCab: no progressive, no gamma support
Mac Mosaic: some support, but buggy.
X Mosaic: poor support.
Netscape: Buggy support on its own, with no transparency, no alpha, no gamma.
Better support available with third party plugins.
Opera: Buggy, but probably the best PNG support in the bunch.
WebTV: No progressive.
My guess is they seem clearer because of the gamma control built-in. Many
browsers don't support Gamma control, so that factor doesn't show up there.
Have fun,
Arlen
Chief Managing Director In Charge, Department of Redundancy Department
DNRC 224
Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- JCI -dot- Com
----------------------------------------------
In God we trust; all others must provide data.
----------------------------------------------
Opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.
If JCI had an opinion on this, they'd hire someone else to deliver it.
