When I was creating the first version of img2gif I used 'RAW' file format, exported from Paint Shop Pro, which looks like this:

255 255 255
128 128 128
64 64 64
0 0 0

Which could be a 1x4, 4x1 or 2x2 image... it doesn't save the dimensions. That'd save messing about with parsing JPGs etc... but's useless on a website. Or you could try to use GD, which I found less useful than Image::Magick... only use PNGs, I think...

Maybe you could try to pull the relevant parts of Image::Magick inline into your program? (Is this generally possible?)

Just my .02 pence worth... ;-)

Dave

Eight years involved with the nuclear industry have taught me that when nothing can possible go wrong and every avenue has been covered, then is the time to buy a house on the next continent. Terry Pratchett