2011 By Dave

Dave Keys • 2010

Orange County Web Design | Embedding Animation When Video Isn’t Allowed

Can you place any kind of flash or video on a Craigslist post? The standard answer is “no.” But there is still a way to place animated content like you see here (below) on Craigslist.

First, you have to convert a limited video to animated GIF format. This can be quite a challenge, especially when initially looking for software to do the job. Secondly, it’s a balancing act to stay between compelling content and an overly bloated file that doesn’t render fast enough to do any good.

Stay tuned for details!

Next: Finding the right free conversion software for MAC and PC

Ahead: Embedding the “video” in a Craigslist post.

Video On Craigslist? Part II WINDOWS

Part Two Shows you where to download absolutely free software to do the job.

1. Windows (a little hard to find – easy to use)

“Super” Video Conversion Software

The website is http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html

This website to the uninitiated, will seem like a round-robin loopback to paid software. Click-throughs and shareware sales links is how this software author makes his/her money but the free software is really there.

To get the free conversion software

Look for this link:
The link will take you here where you get the first “offer” of paid software: (DON’T CLICK THE DOWNLOAD BUTTON – SCROLL DOWN)

Don’t Click Here – Scroll Down to This:
Click the “dowload and use” link. One more to go after this.
You will arrive at yet another (and the last) long page with offers and links throughout. Scroll all the way down to this:
Here is the current active link: (very subject to change – especially after it’s hit from outside their page) Super

Video On Craigslist? Part III MAC

MAC Software – Yet another reason to switch to MAC.

Website: http://nyctergatis.com/gifbuilder/index.html

Gif Builder

Versions available for your Intel or Legacy MAC.

Download

Install

Done

That’s right kids, if you want to concentrate on your work instead of on your computer, switch to a MAC.

This free advice is given with Windows experience from version 3 and up, plus 14 years experience as an IT Manager.

NEXT: Embedding Animated GIFs in Craigslist Posts.

Video On Craigslist? Part IV – Hosting and Embedding Your Animation Getting It Online and Working

Craigslist.

Some say Craigslist is a dying concept. (another topic)

Some say social networking is a waste of time.

Some say and some do.

This is for those that do and those that can handle a little HTML.

Step 1. Host your GIF file. I recommend keeping the animated GIF as small as possible. The one I used in this blog is 8.7 MB. The One in my Craigslist post is only 1.3MB. Performance is always a consideration when you include one if these files. I make the assumption that my audience will be using broadband of some kind. If they’re using dialup, then they’re probably not a likely customer either.

You have to find a place to store your .GIF file that is publicly accessible via an tag and allows GIF animations. There are many free web hosting options. I know that Google Sites (not blogger) works. You can get a free account by signing up with Google (free). You can start at http://sites.google.com. Since I’m a proponent of Google services, I’ll leave it at that.

Step 2. Create your Ad. This isn’t really a tutorial about creating ads. Craigslist changes what they allow in design elements whenever they want to. A lot of agents use 3rd party software to create postings. If you’re using that, you have to find your way through the software or your completed post to insert your animated GIF file.

Step 3. Embed your .gif file like this: *note, this is the HTML you will type. <img src=”http://davekeys.com/images/mauipics.gif“>

Anatomy of the HTML:

Orange: This is always the same. You embed an image, including the animated GIF file with the IMG tag.

Blue: This is a reference to your GIF file on the server where it lives. If you use a subdirectory you include it in your location. You can usually copy the link to an image file from your browser.

My Google Sites link looks like this: http://4490269834147606439-a-1802744773732722657-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/davekeys/gif-test/mauipics.gif

It works like this: