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The Future of Color on the World Wide Web

(Revised June 2006)
Currently, the colors and the brightness of all images look different on different computer systems. However, if a graphic contained chromaticity and gamma information, and if the browser (the messenger) could deliver this information to your computer, you would see much better colors.. It's very easy to do this, but unfortunately, browser support (notably Explorer for PCs) does not exist.

To achieve accurate colors, we need the following:

1. The graphic file format
In spite of the fact that web designers can embed color profiles in graphics, current web graphic file formats (gif and jpeg) don't have the capability to carry this information. There is hope for the future ... but we've been saying this since 1995. New and improved file formats can carry this color information. For the past ten years, the PNG (pronounced ping) file format has been a promising solution. PNG can store gamma and chromaticity data for improved color matching and is designed to work on all computer systems and Web browsers. More than three dozen graphic development tools support PNG, and a plug-in is available for browsers. Unfortunately inadequate browser support (of note Internet Explorer) and very limited need for transparencies in web page design has made PNG the forgotten format.

Another graphic file format - JPEG 2000 - is used extensively in specialized fields such as medical imaging and geographic information systems, but has not been picked up by the Web browsers yet.

Much more information about PNG and JPEG 2000 can be found in the links below.

2. The Web Browser
Next, the software, the web browser, needs to be able to read this information and deliver it to the viewer's computer. This capability must be built into the browser or added as a plug-in. Currently there is very limited support for this solution in PC browsers.

3. A Universal Standard ? ..... sRGB ?
The issue of a color standard has been addressed by the International Color Consortium. Other groups, such as those who are developing new graphic formats which store gamma information, are also evaluating the idea of a color standard. One of the recommended standards is the sRGB color space. This proposed standard has provoked considerable debate. Some say "Keep everything in sRGB and he color will be ‘good enough’ for consumers." In truth, it was never designed as a solution to color accuracy on the web. Furthermore, sRGB is a very limited color space which represents the "average" PC monitor — a $200 monitor at best. Today's monitors offer far greater capabilities.

4. Superior Systems
Finally, in the more distant future, we will have superior systems which will bring us Internet access and traditional television into the same "TV". At the present time, even if the technology were complete, there is not enough bandwidth to make this possible.

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Links
We invite you to follow the links to more technical information:

Gamma

Poynton on gamma:
Poynton's FAQ about Gamma

See more color mutations
Gamma Correction and Color Space

The lack of gamma correction on PC's and Suns.
Gamma correction explained:

Berger's gamma demonstration image and gamma measurement image.
Scroll down to almost the end of the page.
Gamma test

Gamma - much more information, lots of links:

A technical explanation of gamma from PNG
The Gamma Tutorial

Computer Systems

More information on how computer components work together
Tips

Monitor Control Panels and Glare

Poynton: How to minimize glare and establish good physical viewing conditions. How to adjust the monitor's front-panel controls.
Reducing Eyestrain from Video and Computer Monitors

How to adjust BRIGHTNESS and CONTRAST controls on your monitor. Poynton

Color Standardization

The search for color standardization
The International Color Consortium

An explanation of RGB
Color Systems.

JPEG 2000
JPEG 2000 - Going Mainstream? (2006)

PNG
Where are We After 10 Years (2005)
Benefits of PNG
PNG ( Home Site)

Web site design tools

The 216 web-safe colors
The best chart - RGB and HEX values

Color Matters & the web-safe palette
The 216 web-safe color palette and examples of web safe and dithering colors.

The death of the web safe palette?
Toss it or keep it? A great explanation of the sacred web colors.

HTML - Color-Codes
Web safe color palettes, posters, mouse pads and more.

Victor Engle's No Dither Netscape Color Palette.
For Web site designers: This palette will ensure that colors used in a gif or jpeg image are the same as those handled by Netscape and Explorer. It includes the 216 colors common to both PC's and Macs. The colors will still be viewed differently on different computers. But at least you'll have a basic color vocabulary.

"A Guide to Color Symbolism "
The symbolism of over 100 web-safe colors. Large color swatches - RGB and hex codes included.

"Color Logic for Web Site Design"
Master the basics of color theory with this straightforward guide to creating with color. It's used as a text at many universities and yet it's simple enough for everyone interested in color! Electronic delivery within 24 hours of purchase.

"Color Voodoo for E-Commerce"
This e-book that covers the red-hot topic of designing e-commerce sites - by using color as the key to success. 180 color illustrations thoroughly define the best design and user-interface solutions for commercial web sites.

"Color Voodoo for Web Site Design"
An encyclopedia of four e-books. Also available at Amazon

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