Jpeg or Bitmap

from WinCustomize Forums
I have never thought much about this until recently. I have always uploaded my wallpapers in jpeg for preview and bitmap (zipped) for download, as stated in the form page for uploading. Bitmaps at least mine, are large in size even when zipped. I have noticed that a lot of authors zip jpegs, which are a lot smaller in size. Does it make any difference which way to go, zipped bitmap or jpeg for downloading ? If it doesn't make a difference, then I will do jpeg, because as a dial-up person, they download a lot faster
8,749 views 31 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think most people zip jpgs because of the smaller file size and it is perfectly acceptable.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You can do it either way, but as pictoratus said, if your trying to save space, jpeg is smaller.
Curtains - Customize Windows with additional styles
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank you pictoratus! That is what I shall be doing in the future, I could kick myself for not asking this question sooner!
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank you WOM! We were posting at the same time!
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
But Bitmaps look better
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You are right, SD, they do look better. But for the desktop, I'm not sure that there is that big a difference in how they look, I could be wrong...actually been wrong lots of times! Isn't png better than jpeg? If it is, couldn't that be a compromise between jpeg and bitmap?
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
But does windows allow you to use a png file as a wallpaper?
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I just found this -> http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010548631033.aspx

This lists the type of graphics and what they are about.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Weaksid, that is an excellent link, definitely in my favorites! As for windows allowing png use for wallpapers, I don't really know. I have my wallpaper folder which is huge, in my cdrive and I just browse insead of the regular way to retrieve the wallpaper I want,and there are some in png format. When I am creating wallpapers, I save them in png and I can set them as desktop wallpaper without any problem.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yea, I just checked the browse and it has png in there. I didn't even think about looking. I just got up a little bit ago
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I just got up a little bit ago
The day is half over already!

Thank you again Weaksid for the link!
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Maybe for you, It's only 10:13am EST right now where I am
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
10:24 CST...I was only joshing ya! I'd been up since 4 a.m. , a good time for me to get on the internet!
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Jpegs are smaller in size and good at quality but they are more vulnerable to virus attacks then bitmaps. Does any one remember win95.funlove ????

I had lost all most all of my wallpaper collection due to tha virus
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not to get too technical (because I can't ) but, Bitmaps and .bmps are not the same thing. A Bitmap is a catagory of digital images in which .bmps, .jpg, pngs, etc, all fall under. Just wanted to clear that up, its been bugging me. Oh and something vertically level is plumb not level.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Glad you said that NT. I always wonder if I should point out things like that, and run the risk of sounding like a nit-picker, but it's important that we're all on the same page.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
ok, so I am on the same page, with what you said Night Train and what Kosati was thinking, is that on the upload page, it doesn't actually mean you have to use a zipped bmp, it can be a jpeg if you want!
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I knew about the bitmap thing, I just didn't notice that's what they said. To take the info one step further, there is Bitmap and Vector, By what I know there is only two types so it's either of them.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
TBC- zipped .jpeg's are best for transfering files. They are much smaller than .bmps. For uploading purposes I strongly suggest .jpg's. It's faster for everyone and easier on the servers. Quality of the image isn't a factor I think.

I was just being a picky in my earlier comment. I didn't mean to confuse at all.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
In some windows based network environments, .bmp images will be displayed whether the computer is locked or not.

If you use a .jpeg for your wall in these environments, the .jpg will display while you are using the computer, but when locked; the background color will be displayed.

I have seen this in both Windows 2000, and Windows XP networks with a lot of user profiles set-up.

I am not sure why, other than .bmp being native to windows, and perhaps an issue or bug with active desktop.

Probably not important to most users, but just in case.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank you Weaksid, and many thanks for that link, very useful!
Thank you Night Train, that is the way I shall zip from now on! Easier on me too, I don't have to have all of those bmps, jpegs and pngs overloading my computer!
Thank you Corky O, I am sure your comment will be very helpful to many!
Sorry Koasati for misspelling your name, I didn't catch it till now!
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Corky O, if you use ACDSee, you won't have that problem because when you choose Wallpaper with the right click the program converts the picture (in any format supported by ACDSee) into .bmp and sets is as the wallpaper.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
sssnake,

Thanks for the info. The company I work for won't allow programs like that, but it is good to know.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yea, ACDSee is a awesome program! I think it's one of the best image viewers I've came across.