How to choose which graphic preparation prog to install

[CaribeJoe]

Is there dicussion anywhere here in any forum here on the relative merits of Image Magic vs GD vs whatever?

Why would a site owner choose one over the other in is particular circumstances?

[V@no]

http://4homepages.de/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1516

GD is internal function that buildin in PHP (some hosts dont install GD)
ImageMagick is external software (free by the way )
also, there is another software that 4images supported:
NetPBM

I think GD has less features then IM, but it works much faster.
GD (GD1) doesnt support .png files, but support .gif
GD2 (new version) doesnt support .gif files, but support .png

IM support many others formats, more info here: http://www.imagemagick.org

Cant say anything about NetPBM - I never tryed it. But I know it can be installed without shell access, through FTP.

[CaribeJoe]

Your responses are very helpful. I greatly appreciate your patience. I understand all of them except the one about chmod and editing the installation file as the solution to getting rid of the error messages upon creation of a new category.

You will recall, in a previous message I quoted both Installation.txt files in full both neither said anything about the issue you mentioned.  

Is there a different name to that file?

Thanks again.

BTW, my offer stands to work with someone to create a user help file and a a downloadable site owner doc.