The real reason animated GIFs are a bad idea

[Roy Tennant]

This discussion of animated GIFs has been instructive, but now that we 
have laid to rest the issue of impact on the server (there is none), I 
feel it is necessary to point out that we should treat animated GIFs as we 
would a gun. Some people will have nothing to do with them as a matter of 
principle. Some people overuse them, thereby sometimes leading to 
unfortunate consequences for anyone who comes in contact with them (often 
friends and family). They should be used very judiciously and with care, 
and only when nothing else will do. By way of example, I suggest you 
visit the following page, which was pointed out to me by Thomas Dowling:

http://www.recordpub.com/rc/faq.html

I defy you to read the page. Your eye naturally wants to follow the 
moving target, thus causing a constant distraction. Does it add to the 
purpose of the page? I think not. Rather I think it *destroys* the 
purpose of the page (which, I believe, is to inform, not to entertain). 
Do you find it annoying? I do, and wild horses won't drag me back there. 
Is that what they (or us) want? Not I. Decide for yourself.
Roy Tennant