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Announcement
· Apr 23, 2023

Using GIFs in DC posts

#Developer Community Official

Hi Community!

Here are some basic rules about using GIFs in posts on the InterSystems Developer Community:

  • Consider the context: Make sure that the GIF is appropriate for the context and the message you want to convey. Avoid using offensive or insensitive GIFs. 

 

  • Keep it small: Large GIFs can slow down the loading time of your web page or forum, which can be frustrating for users. Try to keep your GIFs small and optimize them for the web.  

 

  • Use sparingly: While GIFs can be a fun and engaging way to add some personality to your post, using too many can be overwhelming and distracting. Use them sparingly and strategically.  

 

  • Use caution with auto-play: Auto-playing GIFs can be distracting and annoying for some users, so use caution when deciding to have your GIFs auto-play. Consider giving users the option to play or pause the GIF.  

 

  • Accessibility: Consider the accessibility of your GIFs for users who may have visual or cognitive impairments. Provide alt-text descriptions and avoid flashing or rapidly changing images that can trigger seizures or migraines.

Please make sure you follow these rules and use GIFs responsibly and definitely not in the teasers. This will ensure that everyone has a good time in the Community.

Discussion (4)2
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John Murray · Apr 24, 2023

For animated GIFs it would be neat if the DC software could use a technique such as this to automatically add a play/pause button:

https://codepen.io/chriscoyier/pen/pogQJER

That Codepen sample plays such GIFs by default unless user's browser preference is set for reduced motion (see the JS in the sample), but by not setting the 'open' attribute on the details tag (line 5 of the HTML in the sample) it could always start paused.

The technique relies on having a static image containing one frame of the animated GIF, so that would need to be done server-side when an animated GIF is uploaded.

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