Are 'we' allowed to use PNGs in websites now?

[JoyDivision]

Building a small website for a client based on another site I made for them earlier so reducing the cost. I am basicaly just changing the CSS file and the content but keeping the same XHTML structure.

For the header I need to make use of transparancy and GIFs look awful, PNG looks good but does it work with IE6? I seemed to remember way back in my university days being told not to use PNGs because IE6 does not like them?

If so I will write some simple PHP code to revert to a simpler header design if its IE6.

[cmcp]

Use javascript to force PNGs in conditional IE6 comments. Google diller design png fix.

[JoyDivision]

Thanks. Will have a look at the diller PNG fix. I want to avoid using any Javascript at all when I can do the same switch in PHP.

[Andy Walpole]

Well PNG8 are fine although the same problem resides with PNG24 and 32 in IE6.

The best thing that about Fireworks is that it supports - unlike Photoshop - PNG8 alpha transparency. I now find myself opening up a PNG24 image in Fireworks and then saving it as a PNG8 alpha image. You lose some quality but nothing that should be that noticeable on the web, but you get in return a much reduced in size image and something that works in IE6.

[arfurd]

That's a great tip from Andy.

Agree with the loss of quality, but it is minimal.

IE6 inserts a blue background on transparent images.

[electroforms]

FYI www twinhelix com /css/ iepngfix/ (remove spaces)

However - be careful, this could have severe effects on download times:

I have lots of images and page loading is slow.
With a lot of images, it can certainly slow down your page! Make sure that you apply the script as narrowly as possible. Consider applying only to elements of a particular CLASS perhaps, rather than all tags. Also, make sure that you are not trying to tile a 1x1px PNG background over a large element, as this will bring the browser to its kness -- make your images a little larger if you run into this :).

The browser is making hundreds of extra HTTP requests.
See this MSDN HTC bug report for the details and a workaround. The same technique might prove handy with the BLANK.GIF file too if that's your problem.

[3cellhosting]

IE6 is such a pain. I no longer design to support it. In the past I have had to use extra CSS to enable a different set of images to be used. The fixes add too much to loading times in some instances.

The sooner people get rid of it the better.

David

[electroforms]

Yep, where possible I put in the "push up the web" prompt to any sites I create:

pushuptheweb.com

[JoyDivision]

Don't have Fireworks, just Elements 5.0 :(

I will get round it easily enough though, its not a design essential piece I will simply get PHP to show a simpler header if the browser is IE6.

[That Guy]

I use this for IE6 and works spot on:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bobosola/pnghowto.htm

[Aaron22]

hi dear,
This is really great query asked I this you need not use javaskripts . It is enough to use PNGs ,this is appreciable option. So I think we all are benefited by such query and by great answer too.

Thanks Buddy !!!