| Graphics and Images |
There are two main mrethods of using images in web documents; in-line and external.
In-line images are embedded within
a
web document and are automatically displayed by the browser. The
HTML tag used to include an inline image is <IMG SRC = "xxxx">,
(IMaGe SouRCe). The file location is
encoded using a relative or absolute pathname. The following HTML
code was used to insert the graphic to the left:
<IMG SRC="/images/head_small.gif">
External images are those which are independent of a web document. In-line thumbnail images such as the one above may lead to the larger external images. This is achieved using a combination of a <A HREF> and <IMG SRC>. The following HTML code was used to link the above image into an larger version :
<a href = "head.jpg"><img align=left src = "head_small.gif"></a>
In some instances specialize graphics are not immediately recognizable by a browser, requiring additional software (helper applications). Most helper applications are available as "plug-ins" which integrates the helper program into the browser window.
File Formats
There are many image file formats. The two most common formats are GIF (pronounced with a hard G by some, "jiff" by others) or JPEG ("jay-peg"). The type of image can be identified by a three letter Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME). The file extensions for the aforementioned formats are .gif and .jpg. Web browsers use the MIME extensions to identify the format to determine which helper application, if any, is needed.
Other formats shuch as the Portable Network Graphic ( PNG or "ping") also exist . PNG is designed to work in online viewing applications like the Web. FlashPix (FPX) is another format designed with the Internet in mind. Developed by Kodak, this format is intended to transfer and display high definition images quickly across the Web.
Copyright Concerns
The web is filled with graphics; icons depicting popular cartoon characters, images scanned from photos, and artwork. Web authors frequently "borrow" colorful bullets, "NEW!" icons, and even those yellow animated "Under Construction" graphics for their sites.
Like everything on the web, someone owns the rights to any graphical content you may find. Copying an image that someone else has already copied, no matter how many times seen across the web, could be a copyright violation. The use of existing web graphics may require permission from the author.
Web graphics are also subject to fair use rights. As with other copyrighted materials, web graphics can be used by educators, scholars, and students for use or display in connection with lectures or presentations. Other "fair" uses include non-commercial professional development seminars, workshops, and conferences relevant to their disciplines or present works they created for educational purposes in the course of research, study, or teaching.
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