[sers]

I just wanted know about designers' usage of the format png24 in comparison to png8 and gif. In the past, I've stayed away from using png to avoid inconsistencies with older IE browsers. I found a workaround using png24 using css (I will add link later, as it's bookmarked at my work computer).

Should I stick to using gif and jpg?

[Synook]

PNG24 only has problems in IE in relation to transparency, otherwise it is fine.
The use of PNGs is definitely recommended over GIFs, due to their higher color depth, better compression and the open nature of the specification. However, because PNG compression is lossless better file sizes for complex images such as photos are achievable using the JPEG format.

[trebor79]

My 2 cents is to use whatever is best on a per-instance-basis.

If you have a photograph, usually JPG's the way to go. If you need smooth transparencies on a complex background or a background that's going to be changing, PNG(24). For buttons, other small images that look good with 256 colors, use PNG-8, GIF.

If it's a choice between PNG-8 and GIF, the PNG-8 usually is going to give you a slightly smaller filesize.

PNG-24 has the best quality if you're needing a nice alpha transparency, but the filesize is an issue if you're dealing with a large image/photo.

To help IE6 (IE 7/8 support transparent PNG-24's fine), Google 'Unit PNG Fix' and also 'png fix fireworks' for smooth transparency fixes.