CU Online goes PNG



On the first of June, CU Amiga Online will convert totally to in-line PNG graphics. This will enable faster access through smaller images. It will also allow more attractive progressive displays in browsers that support PNG progressive loading.

We're not prepared to be held back by other platforms slow adoption of the W3 ratified standard. Demo versions of the latest browsers from Netscape and Microsoft have been made available with no PNG support still forthcoming. The parties responsible for PNG have long made a portable library available and while we apologise to those inconvienienced by this move, we can't be held back by other platforms.

Why PNG? As many will be aware, PNG is a totally free and superior file format to GIF. Shareware and commercial authors have been plagued by license terms and fees payable for the GIF standard. PNG is a highly compressed lossless 1 bit to 48 bit standard which is an excellent cross-platform and web content file format which full deserves support of the industry.

Here's a table of the main browsers and their PNG-ready status;

Browser Platform Authors PNG support? Plug-ins
AWeb Amiga Amitrix Amiga Datatypes AkPNG
IBrowse Amiga HiSoft Amiga Datatypes AkPNG
Voyager-NG Amiga Vapor Built-in N/A
Netscape PC/Mac/Unix Netscape No, Plug-in Siegelgale
Internet Explorer PC/Mac/Unix Microsoft Yes from 4.0b1 N/A