Thought Sparks

When uploading an image to your blog, it’s important to include some essential attributes. Using a WYSIWYG editor like FCKEditor for WordPress gives you preset elements. The screen shot above is a typical example of some of the more common attributes that you should employ.

1. URL is the location online where the graphic will be posted. The upload tab allows you to send an image from your desktop to the web server.
   The html code looks like <img src="http://www.domain.com/subfolders/image.jpg">.
2. Alternative Text or Alt text as it’s abbreviated is an important element and should always be employed. It accomplished two very important tasks.
   • Provides visually impaired readers an explanation of the graphic, which was it’s original intent.
   • Enables search engines to more effectively index your site for more effective optimization.

   The html code looks like alt="Photo caption"

3. Width and Height are optional attributes. I always reduce my images to the appropriate size in a photo editor before uploading as it reduces page load time. But in the case of slight modifications, these attributes are very helpful.
   The html code looks like width="150px" and height="150px" where px stands for pixels.
4. Border is often used to remove a border around linked images. In some cases it’s helpful to add a border to an image. To remove a border the element would be 0.
   The html code looks like border="0" or border ="1".
5. HSpace and VSpace elements add horizontal and vertical space, which creates white space around images.
   The html code looks like hspace="10" and vspace="10".
6. Align is primarily used to position an image to the left or right of the page. This allows text to wrap in a natural fashion around the image.
   The html code looks like align="left".

The first two attributes, the URL and Alternative Text should always be set when uploading images to page content. Border, HSpace, VSpace, Align and other attributes can be set with CSS styling. Sounds like another post. Gee, I guess you’ll have to check back soon for styling images with CSS.