WebP (pronounced "weppy") is a new image format developed by Google that employs both lossy and lossless compression. Facebook embraced the new format but many users didn't know what to do with the files they downloaded. The CNET article notes "When people upload JPEG photos, the social-networking juggernaut converts them into the WebP format. And now it also apparently has begun delivering those images to people with browsers that can handle them, which today means Chrome and Opera."
Since "Windows, OS X, Photoshop, and most other software can't handle WebP" one may ask, "Will this cause us grief in the Student Multimedia Center?" For those who can't handle the new format, one workaround is to log into Facebook using Internet Explorer, Safari, or Firefox. As these browsers don't support the new format, users will download a JPEG file instead. And (for now) may be much happier.
Looks like WebP support can be added to the operating system: https://developers.google.com/speed/webp/download . But we will have to wait and see if it is worth the effort at the Center. I have to say that WebP is starting to sound better. When they first announced it back in 2010, it was vastly inferior to JPEG, now it just seems different. We do offer support for WebM (the video equivalent to WebP) with the Miro Video Convertor.
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