A "thumbnail" image is a smaller version of an original image that is linked to that original image so when the thumbnail is clicked on, it will open the original image. Thumbnails have a smaller file size, which means faster loading time for the pages. Here are the advantages of using thumbnails:

• web page loads faster
• conserves bandwidth
• can fit more images on the page

Note:

• You should not create thumbnails inside the Homestead SiteBuilder, because resizing images inside the SiteBuilder does not change the file size, only the image size.
• Resizing images inside the Sitebuilder does not make the pages load faster.

You will need to create thumbnails of your images using an image editor. If you do not have one, you can download a free image editor program from www.download.com (click here to choose one) or www.webattack.com (click here to choose one).

This tutorial will use IrFanView, a free program (click here to go to download page).

Here's how to create multiple thumbnail images:

1. Open the program IrFanView

2. In the file menu, along the top of the program, click on "File" and select "Thumbnails"

3. A new window will appear. On the left side, browse and select the folder with the desired images

4. On the right side, you will see thumbnails of the images in the folder

Note:

• Each thumbnail image will have a colored border
• If you would like to change the color of the thumbnail borders or the size of the thumbnail images, in the file menu, along the top of the window, click on "Options" and select "Set thumbnail options"

  

• A new window will appear to change thumbnail settings

  

6. Select the desired images

7. In the file menu, along the top of the program, click on "File" and select "Save selected thumbs as single images"

8. A new window will appear, choose the folder to specify where to save the thumbnail images.

9. You will have to import the thumbnails and original images to your web site "files" folder, and link the thumbnails to the original images in the SiteBuilder.

Note:

• For IrfanView Help, in the file menu, along the top of the program, click on "Help" and select "IrfanView Help".
• Thumbnails created with the Irfanview "Thumbnail" feature will be saved in .jpg file format

Related links:

• HS guide for thumbnail links that open in a special popup window, click here
• Irfanview Tutorial by Iredell-Statesville Technology Department, click here
• Free Thumbnail programs are available at download.com (click here to choose one), webattack.com (click here to choose one).

(Please note that none of the above are official partners of Homestead, nor have we done any extensive testing of what they have to offer. Use of their tools and services must be undertaken at your own risk.)