[QUESTION] Is preloading images useful anymore?
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- fitsum
Thoughts?
with so many broadband users, Im wondering how useful preloading scripts are anymore?
- ********0
still important
- e-pill0
Rand is going to be on dial-up while on his vacation, so keep the pre-load image!!
- sherman0
It depends on the site.
I recently finished a corporate site that had heavy use of images for titles and subtitles. I tried to convince them to use html but for branding purposes they needed a specific type.
Anyway, i found it useful to preload so there was no screen jitter from page to page.
I also found it useful to use width and height in my image take so the browser knows how much screen to use for images.
So yeah I would say its still useful.
- Jaline0
It's a pain.
I currently do that for my site but I wish I didn't have to. The truth is, my internet connection is so slow at home sometimes that I had to put a preloader on just to see my own work on the internet.
Basically, I think it all depends on your target audience. If it is other designers, don't use a preload. If it's potential clients or employers, that's harder to say. You want to keep their attention, but you don't want your portfolio pieces to take forever to show up.
- sherman0
that was width and height in image "tags".
- Jaline0
Also, when you say "preloading", do you mean (1) a script that would preload WHILE the user was looking at the other parts of your site (like the main page and not the folio page) so that the folio page would be ready to view once they clicked on that link, or do you mean (2) an actual preloading bar / image before you see anything on the site.
- Nairn0
I'd say yes, because in addition to broadband capacity you also have the 'speed' or ping of communication between browser and server. Not all broadband (including mine, occasionally) always offer very fast ping, which can make the UI experience jittery and unrepsonsive. This is especially noticeable with rollover menu elements.
- Jaline0
If it's (1), then go ahead and use the preloader.
- defanddumm0
depends on usage...
- Dancer0
*Pipes up
- nUBBER0
Yes I feel its very imprtant.
The flow of a site is paramount so preloding is a must...
- fyoucher10
always, even with broadband. Your site may not be the only thing downloading on the users computer at that time (ie. Music streams, other sites, Limewire porn). Could cause problems if assets aren't readily available when you call for them. If anything, get rid of any kind of preloading animation.
- nUBBER0
i cache images that are loaded.. so they dont see preloader..
i also wait a few frames before showing loader in case its on the users disk...
i love preloading ;)
- MrD0
yes
- nUBBER0
Im talking within the context of Flash btw...