If you are like me and write your web content on-the-fly, you frequently include GIF
graphics without putting a lot of thought into the size of the graphics files. It's not
until much later that you may realize that your page loads much too slow for human
consumption.
Advanced GIF Optimizer from Gold
Software is kind of a GIF insurance policy. It allows you to scan your local directory
full of GIF files, and run a quick test to see how much the files can be decreased in
size. The reductions which are possible can sometimes be astounding. If you use lots of
little graphic files or an occasional big one in your web design, then you already know
how these graphics can slow your page down when loading in a browser. With Advanced GIF
Optimizer, this problem goes away for good.
You can run a test on an entire directory and then reduce all eligible files (some GIF
files actually could increase size when compression is run on them, but Advanced GIF
Optimizer is intelligent enough to recognize these exceptions and won't waste time on
them!), or you can browse for select files and simply reduce the ones you need. Either
way, the reduction is quick and painless, and there is NO noticeable drop in the quality
of the images.
Now there are number of "free" Internet-based utilities which perform this
same service, but you have to first upload your graphics and then download them after
compression. Due to traffic and general network latency, these services are not usually
very fast, and if you have a lot of GIF files needing reduction, good luck to you. At
$25.00 (US), this tool is essential and an inexpensive investment.
Advanced GIF Optimizer also has a few other features which help to differentiate it
from web-based services and other competitive products:
1. It includes a file viewer which allows you to preview individual files or view a
slideshow of an entire directory of files. The latter is quite helpful when you need to
search for just the right file, but can't remember its location or name.
2. It includes a file cutter to help you cut up and embed a larger graphic within
multiple cells of a table. If you ever wondered how some of the more graphically rich
sites design their graphical user interfaces, this is their secret, and this tool helps
you to achieve the same effect.
Gold Software has also embedded the ability for the tool to check for updates from
their web site. Gold Software, like more and more of the shareware designers out there,
are seeing the forest through the trees: the way to retain your users is to offer free
software updates! With service like this, why would you ever consider moving to a
competitive tool?
To download a demo of the software, just click on the banner at the top of this page.
