| Exporting a Photograph | |
| Sending or exporting a photograph from one
computer to another with e-mail is a relatively simple process once
we realise a few restraints: |
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Files are measured in Bytes or KiloBytes (KB)
and, without getting too technical, a single Byte is approximately the
same as a single alphanumeric character. A file of 10,000 Bytes is
usually expressed as 10 KB, which is approximately equal to 0.1 MB (Mega
Bytes). A common 56 kbs (kilo bits second) modem will send about 4
KB per second and therefore a 10 KB file will transmit in about 2.5 seconds (
10/4 = 2.5). A file size of 1,000,000 Bytes or 1 MB would take a
little over 4 minutes to send (1,000,000 / 4,000 = 4.17 ). Telephone
line speed is a big factor in this estimation, which can vary widely
between areas and is caused by the variables of Internet traffic. Recommendation: If possible, keep the size of files being transmitted to well under 500 KB. Forewarn recipients if you plan on sending a large file. |
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The type of file refers to a file that
the receiving person can use as well as the quality of data within the
file. We can send a top quality Photoshop file (.psd) that will
reproduce exactly on the receiving person's computer, — no
data is lost in the process (the receiving party must also have an
application to display a Photoshop file). Transmission time could be
long and file size could be large. However, we can scan and convert photographs into JPEG files (.jpg) that will retain and display most of the data from the original photograph. By using a compression process, a good quality JPEG file will store a photograph on a hard disk in a fraction of the space when compared with a Photoshop file (1:4 ratio for good quality), and this compressed JPEG file can be transmitted in a vastly reduced amount of time (perhaps a quarter of the time). The JPEG file is received and de-compressed to display at a high quality image, not perfect as a JPEG image does loose some data through the compression and de-compression process. JPEG files are highly recommended as a file type when exporting photographs. Recommendation: Use JPEG (.jpg) files for storing and sending photographs whenever possible. |
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It is important to verify that the receiving party can open and use the type of file that we send as attachments to e-mail. There is no useful purpose in sending a Photoshop file to a relative if the file cannot be opened (viewed) on the relative's computer. Anyone with a web browser can open a JPEG file. Family Tree Maker can also store and open a Photoshop file from within its scrapbook facility. There are many other applications that will open JPEG files. |
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