Graphics in AOL

[ddunlap]

Does anyone know the "secret" to making graphics look good in AOL? There must be a secret, 'cause my graphics look great in Netscape and IE, but in AOL I have all sorts of problems. Gray bars running through photos mostly. For example: http://www.hartsookgroup.com - the customer uses AOL and I'm hearing that it looks bad, though I can't see it because I don't have AOL.

[Armand]

AOL uses compressed graphics by default though the user can turn it off via their preferences.[nbsp][nbsp]I've gone through this on my site also plus I am an AOL user.[nbsp][nbsp]The smaller the file size and thus colors used the worse the compression.

[ddunlap]

Thanks for the input, Armand. So I guess this means all that hard work I put into my graphics to make them load faster is counter-productive, at least as far as AOL is concerned. I am a bit apprehensive to go back and rework the graphics with high color and file size.

[Armand]

Basically that's correct.[nbsp][nbsp]AOL sort of assumes that graphic files could use their special compression to decrease download times. I rarely use the built in these days- prefer Nutscape which may some day be the built in for AOL who knows now.

I wouldn't rework them.[nbsp][nbsp]I personally didn't.[nbsp][nbsp]When an AOL visitor takes the time to mention the problem they encounter with the graphics I point it out to them and teach them how to correct it.[nbsp][nbsp]If you get a lot of AOL visitors you may want to have a disclaimer or something on your page for them to read that teaches them how to correct this.[nbsp][nbsp]If you don't want it cluttering your main page or what not a seperate page would be a good idea.[nbsp][nbsp]That's just if you want to really go that far.

Oh if you need specific directions on how to have them fix it let me know.[nbsp][nbsp]I know it for AOL 4.0 and think I may still remember the 3.0 way.

Upside for me if that it only reduces the texture of my site[nbsp][nbsp]to no texture but still looks presentable enough. ;)
[This message has been edited by Armand (edited 04-28-99)]

[ddunlap]

I think I'll set up a separate page with instructions for AOL users - instructions like "Get a clue, get a grown-up browser" .... maybe not ;) To me it seems unnecessary, but should make the customer happy and that's what it's all about at this point.

If I understand how this works (for 4.0), you go to MY AOL, then PREFERENCES, then GRAPHICS, but what do you recommend for JPEG quality choice - something in the mid-range? And on SET COLOR MODE - does detect automatically handle it?

Your input has saved the day - thanks a bunch!

[Armand]

DDunlap:

Yep close.. in 4.0 ... it's My AOL >> Preferences >> WWW >> Web Graphics tab >> make sure the single box is unchecked.

Actually that area just reads "Do you want Web graphics to be compressed?[nbsp][nbsp]This will display Web pages quicker.[nbsp][nbsp][ ] Use compressed graphics"

No other options to this change, affects gif and jpg usually.[nbsp][nbsp]And due to number of websites that use graphics tons of graphics in excess of 5k per image, it isn't always or very obvious that this is going on to most AOL users.[nbsp][nbsp]Usually only hurts files smaller than 4 - 5 kb.

I always tell them to sign up with a "real" ISP
I admit it is cookie cutter and seriously looked around like crazy to switch.[nbsp][nbsp]Prices are no different (actually higher around here for local ISP) and given the amount of content they provide, number of users you have better interaction with it (chat rooms/im - not that I really use them at all) actually not too bad minus the often crappy connections.

[Mark]

I always tell them to sign up with a "real" ISP :) HA!

[ddunlap]

I started out on AOL and learned a lot about the "web" through that connection. Now I'm thinking I need to sign up again just to check my clients web sites - a formidable job at this point, but no doubt worth the time and $$.

In the other forum (can't remember which one) someone suggested that it only affected interlaced graphics, and I believe most of my gifs are interlaced and the jpegs optimized, so I'm going to change a few and see how that goes.

[Armand]

St.Steven... I checked out all 3 sites in both my Netscape and then AOL built-in browser (though I hate it).[nbsp][nbsp]There's no visible difference at all on AOL in the graphics on any of the 3 sites you'll be happy to know.

[st. steven]

Oh no. Between building the sites and updating them for an everchanging HTML, designing a site for every conceivable browser and promoting them on search engines that are constantly changing algorythms and where competitors knock you out of a top listing within a week, this "hobby" of mine has become just way too time-consuming.

And now there's this AOL compressed graphics thing.

Aaarrgh.

If someone on AOL has a moment, I wonder if you would mind taking a look at my graphics - just a peek at the opening page would be fine.

http://bjordan.com/coach
http://thecpaforlawyers.com/jimminter/
http://thecpaforlawyers.com/[nbsp][nbsp] (I paid a graphics artist for these)

Thank you in advance for any time you can spare.

[st. steven]

Thank you Armand, I am very happy to know that.

Is AOL's built in browser still small sized? I was on AOL a couple of years ago (decades in internet time, I guess) and the browser defaulted to that small size. I surfed for months before I knew you could make the browser full screen sized. Clever, aren't I?

[Armand]

Well in the 4.0 version of AOLHeLL (lol) there's a location/navigation bar built in to the toolbar area.[nbsp][nbsp]When it launches it's usually near full height but not full width.[nbsp][nbsp]AOL 4.0 uses a bloody and guts version of IE 4.01, or at least my copy/version does.