Image Maps

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Intro to Image Maps

Image maps allow images, (GIFs and JPEGs), to contain multiple links to documents. There are two types of image maps: Server-side and Client-side.

Definitions:

 

Server-Side Image Maps

Server side image maps, in most browsers, have the behavior of indicating the pixel coordinates on a status line as the mouse is positioned over the image map regions. When a user mouse clicks on the image map, the browser sends the pixel coordinates to the server which determines the document to which the link refers. If one views the HTML source of a document containing a server side image map, the pixel coordinates of the map file specification will not be found since they are located on the server and not transmitted to the Web browser client.

 

Client-Side Image Maps

In most Web browsers, as a user positions the mouse over regions of a client-side image map, the URL that the region is linked to is displayed on the status line at the bottom of the browser window. When a user mouse clicks on a client-side map, the browser determines and requests the document to which the link is pointing. If one views the HTML source of a document containing a client side image map, the pixel coordinates of the map file specification will be found in the document.

The remainer of this discussion will concern itself primarily with client-side image maps.

Further Optional Study / Resources

Client Side Image Map Links

Yahoo Image Map Links

Netscape Client Side Image Directions

Client Side Image Map Tutorial

 

Server Side Image Map Links

Server Side Image Map Info

So you want an image map, huh?

Create an Image Map!

Image Map Mapping

Image Map Tools

Comprehensive Listing from Yahoo!

Windows95.com HTML Tools (MapThis!, MapEdit)

Macintosh Tools (webmap)