Those likely to stumble on this post via Google search or otherwise, may be using the recently released Firefox 3.5. I have been an exclusive user of the said browser since its initial release in 2004, unless corporate policy dictated otherwise, of course (and even then...) Yes sir, I geeked wholeheartedly on this particular subject, and the love affair continues to this day.

Among the myriad of features and enhancements that v3.5 comprises of, most touted is the boost to performance. The folks at Mozilla, the makers of Firefox, claim 100% performance increase over previous revision. It is not small feat to be sure, and while I cannot personally back these numbers with elaborate tests, my finely-tuned browser rendering speed senses ... well, they sense the difference. Yes, the boost to performance is significant and very much sensed indeed.

However, the (mostly) ignored feature of Firefox 3.5 is the one likely to cause netizens and web developers most problems. Namely, it is the support of color profiles. For the first time, by default, Firefox will render images according to embedded color profiles. This support has been available since v3.0, but has only become the default behavior since v3.5, mainly due to improvements to performance. A post at Mozilla Hacks discloses more detail.

Problem

Problem, in this case, is a relative term. If you have been purposely tagging your images with image correction information anticipating this exact development, Firefox 3.5 will be a godsend. However, if you are like me who has been happily correcting photos in Photoshop, paying no or little heed to ICC profiles, and posting them to Flickr in JPGs, or any site for that matter, the Firefox enhancement may come as a shock. You see, Photoshop embeds color correction information into the image by default, and the profile information has a tendency to mangle images, correcting what has been already manually corrected when compensating for other/older browser lack of color correction support. Makes senses? No? Read on ...

Images in Firefox 3.5 appear darker.

A crop of one of my photos shows the difference. On the left, a Firefox 3.5 corrected image, on the right you the intended rendition. I have been using sRGB IEC61966-2.1 profile as I find it most appropriate for web use of all others. Even so, a straight export to JPG results in flat appearance, lacking vibrancy and contrast. I am usually forced to nudge the said parameters manually to correct for browsers' inability to correct. Since color profile is embedded into that image upon saving, Firefox now corrects the image I have already corrected myself, effectively double-correcting. The result is not pretty, you see.

This new support does not affect budding photographers alone. Web developers, or graphic designers, need to be mindful of this feature also. For instance, some designs depend on interaction between CSS and image(s), where both CSS color and image color need to be exactly the same. Firefox's default behavior will brake such designs if images DO have image correction profiles assigned to them! Nothing new for web developers, I'm sure ... hardships are a way of life in this world replete with incompatible or diverging browser technologies. Such is the cost of progress.

Fix

How can this problem be fixed? Going forward, remember to save your images without correction information ... at least until other browses introduce similar support, if at all. In Photoshop CS3, this can be accomplished by navigating to Edit -> Assign Profile, and selecting "Don't Color Manage This Document" option.

As for existing images ... well, you will need to open each one and remove correction, whether manually or through automation, if you wish Firefox users to see your images as you intended them to be seen. Once your images are corrected or profile-less, replace the originals on Flickr, Picasa, or whatever. It hurts, I know ... I am in much pain right now.

Another option is to disable browser settings by editing the appropriate file manually, as no UI exists to facilitate this. However, this solution affects your local browser only. External users, casual browsers, netizens at large will continue to see the mangled version.

Enjoy!

Labels: color, firefox, Firefox 3.5, flickr, images, photography, photoshop, web development

Jagshemash!

Has it really over 3 years since the last post? Crazy.

I've decided to resurrect the blog for reasons not quite fully understood by self at this moment. I simply feel a need to write something ...

Don't mind the broken links and general mess ... not to mention design dating back to 2004. It will all be made right over an undetermined period of time.

Dzienkuje!

Labels: resurrection

New Canflix.com status indicators

Canflix had always strived to present its members with a clear indication of its inventory status. In fact, Canflix is one of only one or two Canadian dvd rental companies that actually disclose the status of their titles on their website. However, unlike Zip.ca, the largest player in the Canadian market, that uses a demand-based indicators which often confuse its members and only tell a likelyhood of a customer receiving a particular title, Canflix opted for a more transparent system that in essence tells whether the customer will get their selection or not. Canflix indicators clearly state whether a title is available, or not available, though as we learned the not available part was also confusing to Canflix customers. We are in the process of revamping Canflix inventory status indicators. Namely, the changes comprise of clarifying the meaning of the "On Order" status, and addition of "Ready To Order" status.

The Culprit: On Order

The "On Order" status is a relic from the early days of the Canflix.com service. At that day and age we did not think the "On Order" status would be something that was displayed frequently, as we had hoped to fill all of our inventory quickly. However, the inventory that we had hoped to acquire fell very short of the promised numbers, which became clearly evident as we "cleaned" and loaded into our system what was available. The "On Order" status remained as we focused on more pressing priorities. At this point it became an indicator meaning that we did not have the title in our inventory, and it may or may have not been ordered.

Soon it became clear that this status caused some distress, not only to our members, but also to us, as it hampered the management of ordered titles. Upon many customer comments voicing confusion, suggestions from members of the Canadian dvd rental community, and our own need, we've decided to clarify the ambiguous meaning of this status indicator. It now clearly means that the title is really on order, and that title will become available shortly. Color orange was chosen as a median between yellow (all copies rented to customers) and red (not available in our inventory just yet).

New Kid On The Block: Ready To Order

In the absence of the dual-meaning "On Order" status, a new indicator needed to fill the void. Introducting: "Ready To Order". This status indicates that we don't currently have that particular title in our inventory. This title will be added at some undetermined date in the future. In this, priority will be given to titles that have been most requested/added to Flixlist.

In Conclusion

I believe the new status indicators will clarify the state of our inventory to our members. I like simple. Some work remains to bring the new indicators completely into daylight, but I suspect by the time you read this, all will be primed for use.

Below is a summary of Canflix status indicators:

	The title is scheduled to be released at a future date. It will be added to intentory as soon as we can get our hands on a few copies.
	We have this title in stock. It can be shipped immediately.
	We have this title, but all copies had been shipped to customers.
	We don't have this title, but copies had been ordered. The title will become available as soon as we receieve it.
	We don't have this title in stock currently. It will be acquired some time in the future. Ordering priority will be given to the most demanded titles.

Labels: canflix, inventory, online dvd rental

Canflix: Online DVD Rental for Canadians

The Canflix.com service is growing by leaps and bounds, while the competition, particularly Zip.ca, are finding difficulty in providing an acceptable level of service. Matters deteriorated further for Zip's customers last month when the market giant announced service caps to be imposed on the amount of DVDs its members are allowed to rent, thus rendering their slogan "Unlimited Entertainment" obsolete. For instance, Zip members are allowed to rent up to 11 DVDs per month on the 4 DVD plan (4 DVDs out at a time). Any additional rentals incur an additional $2.49 shipping and handling charge, severely diminishing the value of the service. The caps are due to come into effect on February 27, 2006.

Canflix has no intention of imposing any such caps in the foreseeable future. Those looking for greener pastures are welcome to give Canflix a try. In fact, the seekers have the opportunity to extend the default 2 week trial to 4 weeks! Simply enter the coupon CANIB0602 at a time of registration, and enjoy nearly a month of free rentals. If you don't enjoy the service Canflix offers, you are free to leave. No obligations. Don't wait ... take advantage of this limited time offer now >8)

Labels: canflix

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