I use jpeg format for converting most big pictures, and reduce dots per inch (dpi) to 70 or below, for a web page.

To keep jpeg file sizes under 50k, I use 30 to 60 on 'compression' scale for jpegs ( a scale runs from 2 as high quality, to 255 for low quality. )

Because many users employ a 256 colour palette, gif's are still much in use, but they only handle up to 256 colours. I use gifs for icons and small pics.

I use 24 bit colour bmp's for archiving (I use 300 dpi in case I might print them later), they can be used as a source for both gif and jpeg. -------------------------------- THE FORMATS -------------------------------- 1.bmp (bitmap) This is a pixel-mapped format. I scan pics at 300 dpi -this is about maximum for a printer, but too good for web.

300 dpi 10 by 8 inch pictures, take around 20 megabytes file size. 300 dpi bitmap scans are ideal for archiving, as place to start processing.

NOTE - Netscape Browser does not appear to handle bmp's! ----------------

2.gif.

Gif's are useful for small pics like icons, and also come in 'animated' form useful for websites.

Any scanned colour pic should be processed to 256 colour FIRST, then dpi reduced to a maximum of 72dpi for screen use, then saved as gif.

The basic colour palette options are (in PhotoPaint) : 'uniform palette' - keeps to colours that a 256 colour screen uses. This is good where multiple pics are on one webpage, because browser might have only those colours to use, (someone correct me if that's wrong?)

'adaptive palette' and 'optimised palette' These both select 'best' 256 colours from picture itself -. Pics done with these options may not look well on pages with many pictures, as browser page may be limited to 256 colours in total. A picture on its own on a page will look ok.

---------------- 3. jpegs (jpg)

The jpeg compression works directly from a 24 bit colour palette if necessary, whereas gifs are 256 colours maximum.

The standard compression method is type 4:4:4 on Photopaint. There is a scale 'compression' from 2 to 255. 2 is highest quality, biggest file, 255 is lowest quality, smallest file.

Okay, so maybe it wasn’t quite as melodramatic as all that - but I sure was seething mad.

I had been ripped off to tune of $2800 by a scam artist who "sold" me a Gateway laptop over Internet.

I’d tell you details, but they’re just too painful to relive. And frankly, I feel more than a little embarrassed for being conned.

After that distasteful experience, I embarked on a personal crusade not only to expose deceptive sales practices in computer industry, but also to scour globe for best computer deals in world.

I voraciously read computer manuals, specs, ads -- and scrutinized anything that even remotely resembled a PC. My brain became Geiger counter for computer-buying information.

As a result, I’ve become Head Purchasing Manager for a worldwide non-profit organization consisting of 7000+ members – in charge of purchasing computer equipment for overseas branches in South Korea, Russia, Philippines, China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Europe.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Flashback to 1997.

Back then, I learned quite a few things about computer-buying that very few people on this planet know about. I’m going to reveal some sneaky -- and in some instances, illegal -- things that computer vendors do to bilk you out of your hard earned cash.

1) Bait and Switch - Computer vendors generally resort to any means to get you to their website or store first. The most common way is to lure you there with promise of lowest prices. When you fall for bait, and visit their website or store, you’ll find that their prices are higher than they advertised. They feed you story that advertised price was last week’s price, or that price doesn’t include this component or that peripheral. Vendors do this because, in highly competitive business of computer sales, this is sometimes only way they get a shot at showing you their wares. Then, they do usual song-and-dance routine: “But while you’re here, have I got a deal for you…” hoping you won’t go looking elsewhere.

2) Bankruptcy Routine - This trick consists of opening a ‘new’ computer outlet, selling product for a few months, shipping only a portion of orders, and then declaring bankruptcy and taking most of customer’s money. The people who do this are real crooks, and typically engage in this practice many times.

3) Opportunistic Pricing - This is something very few people know about. Mail order companies change their prices and specifications regularly. They have a complex pricing policy where they employ experts whose only job is to determine exactly how much market will be willing to pay for a specific model.