Here are some very basic instructions for re-sizing scanned images to get them below the 500kb file size limit on Rootschat. To resize scanned images, you will need some graphics/photo editing software. A good free download is Irfanview:
http://www.irfanview.com/ (Instructions specific to IRFANVIEW are included below - please scroll down!)Basically, the aim when posting an image for restoration or identification is to strike a balance between:
physical file size (the height and width of the picture as you see it on the screen),
digital file size (the amount of space the picture takes up on your computer, measured in megabytes - mb, or kilobytes - kb),
resolution of the image (measured in dots or pixels per inch - dpi or ppi), and
retaining colour information (i.e. scanning the image in full colour/RGB colour mode, NOT black and white, even if your photograph is black and white!)
Note: These instructions are generic and every software package is different, but the general principles should be the same. Some package-specific instructions are included where people have provided them.
1. Scan your photos at 600dpi (dots per inch - may also be ppi: pixels per inch) and in full colour mode - even if it's a black and white picture. Do a preview scan first, then select only the photo, or section of photo, that you want - make sure you select the photo so as not to include lots of 'white space' i.e. the scanner lid! See "Cazza's Scanning Tutorial" on this board if you need more help with how to scan.
2. Open the scan in your editing software.
3. To resize a 600dpi scan, you want to change the actual dimensions of the photo (i.e. its physical size) rather than compressing it (e.g. changing the jpeg quality or reducing the dpi/ppi). The first method will keep the original high resolution while reducing the file size (the kbs); the second method will reduce the resolution as well, which is what you don't want.
See pictures following this posting. Change the photo size a little at a time, and check the file size after each change, until you get it just under 500kb.
Note for Microsoft Office Picture Manager: Save the changes after resizing. If you don't, reducing the file size and/or the dimensions of the photo won't help as the numbers will reflect the original size. You should do this using "Save as" so you don't alter the original scan.4. If you want to you could reduce the resolution to 300dpi, and then start resizing the photo - you might find you end up with a physically larger product for the same kbs, and it's still plenty for the restorers to work with.