Chapter 4. Images

Compared to printed images, Web images are easy to prepare and can be used without cost. However, there are drawbacks to using images on the Web. Image files are often larger than text files and take more time to download. Images command attention and can be distracting. When images are used to convey important information, people who cannot see them miss the message.

Images are not bad per se. Some concepts are easier to grasp when images are used to reinforce the text. For example, when assembly instructions include graphic depictions of each step, we have a way to visually confirm that we are on the right track. When product information includes a photograph, we know far more about the product than we would by simply reading ...

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