4 ms·

Somewhat off-topic rant, but why do websites display long videos as GIFs? Is there some size or compatibility benefit? Because it's really annoying to not be ab

Somewhat off-topic rant, but why do websites display long videos as GIFs? Is there some size or compatibility benefit? Because it's really annoying to not be able to pause or rewind these GIFs that take the place of where a video would usually be. Also, get an HTTPS certificate friend, it's 2019. Dreamhost provides LE certs literally for free.

app4soft 7y ago
> but why do websites display long videos as GIFs? Because for GIF playback no need any video player plug-in in browser.
- thenewnewguy 7y ago
  https://caniuse.com/#feat=video https://caniuse.com/#feat=video
kick 7y ago
Firefox already has the video player control interface for gifs; you just have to right-click. HTTPS is unnecessary for this site.
- thenewnewguy 7y ago
  > Firefox already has the video player control interface for gifs; you just have to right-click. And do what? I'm using (latest stable) FF but nothing in the right click menu seems to allow me to control playback. > HTTPS is unnecessary for this site. A: HTTPS prevents your website from being defaced B: I care about protecting the privacy of which websites and web pages I visit - even if you don't C: The website hosts the author's PGP key
  - gwd 7y ago
    D: The more internet data is encrypted, the less encrypted data stands out. I.e., if you only encrypt data when it's important nobody listen, everyone can tell when you're doing something you don't want anyone to hear. If you encrypt data all the time, nobody can tell "secret" from "normal".
    - zentiggr 7y ago
      This! ^^^ (I know I should have something substantial to add, so: Everybody hear this, this is the reason for HTTPS Everywhere, all communications encrypted by default in all possible channels 24/7/365.)
  - bartread 7y ago
    > B: I care about protecting the privacy of which websites and web pages I visit - even if you don't Then use a VPN and/or Tor and stop wailing on the author for no good reason.
    - Rychard 7y ago
      Can you explain how either of those would "protect the privacy of which websites and web pages I visit"?
- presumably 7y ago
  > HTTPS is unnecessary for this site. The Great Cannon enjoys your continued support. https://cybersecurity.att.com/blogs/labs-research/the-great-cannon-has-been-deployed-again https://cybersecurity.att.com/blogs/labs-research/the-great-...
pvg 7y ago
It's not great compression (The gif itself is about 600k) but these frames at least compress fairly well and produce pixel-perfect output which fits the pixely-game theme.
- saagarjha 7y ago
  Pixel-perfect? The GIF looks compressed to me…
ajnin 7y ago
Gifs are lossless, ideal for pixelated low rez graphics. Video formats usually aren't.
- megous 7y ago
  H264 encoded video can be pretty good for screen recording too. What kills it is a lack of some browsers' support for YUV444. (Chrome works, Firefox doesn't, others I'm not sure) You really don't want YUV422 or YUV420 for screen capture of content mostly composed of small/fine colorful text.

app4soft 7y ago

> but why do websites display long videos as GIFs? Because for GIF playback no need any video player plug-in in browser.

thenewnewguy 7y ago
https://caniuse.com/#feat=video https://caniuse.com/#feat=video

kick 7y ago

Firefox already has the video player control interface for gifs; you just have to right-click. HTTPS is unnecessary for this site.

thenewnewguy 7y ago
> Firefox already has the video player control interface for gifs; you just have to right-click. And do what? I'm using (latest stable) FF but nothing in the right click menu seems to allow me to control playback. > HTTPS is unnecessary for this site. A: HTTPS prevents your website from being defaced B: I care about protecting the privacy of which websites and web pages I visit - even if you don't C: The website hosts the author's PGP key
- gwd 7y ago
  D: The more internet data is encrypted, the less encrypted data stands out. I.e., if you only encrypt data when it's important nobody listen, everyone can tell when you're doing something you don't want anyone to hear. If you encrypt data all the time, nobody can tell "secret" from "normal".
  - zentiggr 7y ago
    This! ^^^ (I know I should have something substantial to add, so: Everybody hear this, this is the reason for HTTPS Everywhere, all communications encrypted by default in all possible channels 24/7/365.)
- bartread 7y ago
  > B: I care about protecting the privacy of which websites and web pages I visit - even if you don't Then use a VPN and/or Tor and stop wailing on the author for no good reason.
  - Rychard 7y ago
    Can you explain how either of those would "protect the privacy of which websites and web pages I visit"?
presumably 7y ago
> HTTPS is unnecessary for this site. The Great Cannon enjoys your continued support. https://cybersecurity.att.com/blogs/labs-research/the-great-cannon-has-been-deployed-again https://cybersecurity.att.com/blogs/labs-research/the-great-...

pvg 7y ago

It's not great compression (The gif itself is about 600k) but these frames at least compress fairly well and produce pixel-perfect output which fits the pixely-game theme.

saagarjha 7y ago
Pixel-perfect? The GIF looks compressed to me…

ajnin 7y ago

Gifs are lossless, ideal for pixelated low rez graphics. Video formats usually aren't.

megous 7y ago
H264 encoded video can be pretty good for screen recording too. What kills it is a lack of some browsers' support for YUV444. (Chrome works, Firefox doesn't, others I'm not sure) You really don't want YUV422 or YUV420 for screen capture of content mostly composed of small/fine colorful text.