Lloyd Hassell — Fri, 31 Mar 2000 03:36:00 +0000

I would only bother preloading images to be used in rollovers. Always preload rollover images because there is nothing more annoying than rollovers that download onMouseOver.

Here is the code for pre-loading:

if (document.images) {
IMG_NAME1 = new Image();
IMG_NAME1.src = "images/file1.gif";
IMG_NAME2 = new Image();
IMG_NAME2.src = "images/file2.gif";
}

Make sure you include the if statement so that older browsers dont generate errors.

Suzanne — Fri, 31 Mar 2000 00:05:00 +0000

You preload images by listing them in an array, or listing them in the body tag. I prefer the array method, then call to the images from the array, but that's just me. Someone else will know the onLoad part.

Basically, if you are using the images for rollovers, preload them -- no one will wait around in real life to see the effect of your rollover if they have to hover for it to load (as in when they aren't preloaded).

Don't use it, though, to load full size images for thumbnails -- it removes the choice from the user. They should be able to decide whether they want to load the larger image or not.

Suzanne

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