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List:       kde-core-devel
Subject:    Re: GIF write support
From:       mosfet <mosfet () mandrakesoft ! com>
Date:       2000-04-05 23:48:06
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Unacceptable for serious web usage. People won't want to use a program
that makes uncompressed GIFs, think of a 1000x800 GIF ;-) 

Michael Matz wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> On Wed, 5 Apr 2000, mosfet wrote:
> > I'm sure this is going to be a controversial subject but we really need
> > to have GIF write support if we are going to have apps like Pixie and
> > KImageShop taken seriously by web developers and such. Since Pixie
> > especially is aimed at these people I feel it is essential that I
> > support it... I know of the legal issues involved with GIF but I also
> > know it's something my users are going to need...
> 
> Hmm, but you should at least ensure that whenever possible the users are
> forced to use anything other than GIF. May be 'forced' is too harshed, but
> the programs should make _very_ clear, that _if_ the user really want to
> use GIF, he can, but walks on legally uncertain ground. It is arguable if
> it is uncertain, as Unisys' position seems to be fairly clear.
> 
> > We have the code, it's just not used. If it's going to remain unused I
> > would *very much* like to add the QImageIO code to pixie itself, but
> > think I should ask first because it is a CVS application and as such
> > part of the KDE project as a whole.
> 
> I'm not sure if it would be good, if CVS apps have LZW code in it, which
> is not disableable (sic!). OTOH, if it is conditionally enabled, most
> vendors shipping binaries will switch it off, and it buys you nothing. And
> compiling from source is also not an option for web developers.
> 
> What would be possible is, you implement GIF saving without
> compression. That avoids all patent issues, additionally make the user who
> is concerned about size switch to a better format, and gives the
> possibility for remaining compatible with old web browsers (as you were
> talking about web developers).
> 
> Ciao,
> Michael.

-- 
Daniel M. Duley - Unix developer & sys admin.
http://www.mosfet.org - The place for KDE development news.
mosfet@mandrakesoft.com
mosfet@kde.org

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