Interesting. As you've suggested, it does get to be a complex issue. In accord, we decided recently that the user should have some control over this. In fact, in the new Vista/XP beta version, I believe you can use JPGs now (maybe even GIFs?). If you want to do any performance comparisons, I'd be thrilled to hear that compressed images can outperform non-compressed if the processor to disk-speed ratio is just so. I know many users would be thrilled at the idea of never having to convert another image to a BMP without a threat to speed.