Re: 256 web page

[P3D Jonathan Gross <catalyst@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> ... Netscape
> quantizes image to the same 8 bit palette regardless of whether there
> is 1 image on the page or 100.  The colors in the palette are known and
> fixed (as much as i can tell).  In fact, if you happen to be working 
> with 256 color graphics, you can optimize your images specifically for
> the Netscape palette.

The above statement it true only when the Video Adapter in your PC
supports only 8 bits of color.  In that case on a Microsoft compatible
PC (it is not really IBM is it?), Netscape uses the standard VGA
palette.

If your system supports 16-bits or more, then the above statement does
not really apply.  (I dont think you can even buy a desktop system that
provides ONLY 800X600 or less at 256-colors anymore unless you go to a
discount catalog.  A quick survey of the junk mail catalogs that show up
at my house every day revealed that I could not find a simple 2Meg Video
upgrade card for MORE than $60 unless I wanted to get a 64-bit 3D
accelerator).  But don't take my word for it, TRY IT YOURSELF.  Make
sure your video system is operating in 16Bit or higher mode, then log
onto the Internet with your browser.

I have posted sample images on the net for people to look at with their
browsers.  Each image is titled with the format and palette used to post
it.  The page itself shows thumbnails (little icons) of the images, but
if you select the title text, you will get the whole magilla.  Surf on
over to:

http://www.skypoint.com/~catalyst/3dentry.html

and go to the bottom of the page where there is a section titled

"Here are the test images for the Photo-3D discussion on Palettes. Click
on each image to view it in its own window."

If the point is you can't see good images from the Web using a 256 color
display system, then I agree.

If the point is that you can't get chromatic veracity with images posted
on the web, then I strongly disagree.  Currently, most electronic images
are low quality relative to most photographic images.  On the other
hand, electronic imaging technologies offer some distinct advantages
over photography when the two technologies are viewed as complimentary
instead of competitive.  All this commotion about how hard it is to
create good stereo electronically really irritates me because it creates
confusion (to which I am now contributing).

Jon


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