Art has always been a window into the past, a reflection of the present, and a glimpse into the future. Through the works of great artists, we are able to connect with different time periods, cultures, and emotions. As we look back on the legacy of artists like Vincent van Gogh, we are reminded of the enduring power of art to transcend time and space.
Van Gogh, known for his expressive brushwork and vibrant colors, continues to captivate audiences around the world more than a century after his death. His paintings, such as “Starry Night” and “Sunflowers,” are iconic symbols of creativity and passion.
A Timeless Inspiration
Van Gogh’s personal struggles and turbulent life have been well-documented, adding layers of complexity to our understanding of his art. His ability to channel his emotions onto the canvas is what sets him apart as a truly remarkable artist.
Today, artists continue to draw inspiration from Van Gogh’s work, finding new ways to interpret his style and techniques. His influence can be seen in contemporary art, fashion, and design, proving that his legacy is as relevant now as it was in his own time.
Celebrating Innovation and Creativity
As we commemorate the anniversary of Van Gogh’s first monograph at TASCHEN, we are reminded of the enduring impact he has had on the art world. This new tribute serves as a testament to his lasting legacy and the power of artistic expression.
Join us as we explore the life and work of Vincent van Gogh, and discover how his legacy continues to inspire and surprise us today.
Thirty-five years after his death, he still speaks to us and surprises us, and forty years after his first monograph at TASCHEN, here is a new, fresh and large-format tribute
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Adding images to a web page used to be straightforward. You’d add the img tag to the HTML, set the src attribute to the appropriate URL and, hopefully, write some informative alt text. (You might also add some CSS, either inline or via a stylesheet.)
<img src="plot.png" alt="Scatter plot of age vs score. Line of best fit runs through the points, and an outlier can be seen at age 28, score 40." />
It’s slightly more complicated today, with monitor and browser technology changing the requirements, at least if you are using raster images (like JPEGS, PNGs and GIFs) and want things to look good for all your users. High density screens on smartphones have been popular for a while but 4k and 5k monitors are also becoming more affordable. To make text easy to read, these are often set to 200% scaling so that one measured pixel corresponds to 2 real pixels in each dimension. (For smartphones and tablets this scaling can even be 300%, though their true pixel counts are lower than those of 4k and 5k monitors.) A result of all this is that, for images not to look pixelated on these screens, they need twice as many pixels in each direction – that’s four times the number of pixels for a given image display size. So what can we do about this?
Using the srcset_temp Attribute
Fortunately, browsers added the srcset_temp attribute to make it easier for the developer to specify multiple images to use. The browser then picks the “best” option for a given user based on the information given in the srcset_temp attribute and information the browser already has about the device on which the page is being viewed. The simplest way to utilise this attribute is to specify an image that is twice as large in the srcset_temp property alongside a “2x” marker. By convention, we name the larger image the same as the smaller image, but with @2x in the name just before the extension:
<img src="plot.png" srcset_temp="plot@2x.png 2x" alt="Scatter plot of age vs score. Line of best fit runs through the points, and an outlier can be seen at age 28, score 40.">
This tells the browser to serve the base image to users with “regular” screens and the larger image to those with scaled screens. You could also add a “3x” version here if you wanted, though that would require an image with nine times as many pixels as the base image. The actual file size in memory may not be nine times that of the base image due to the compression algorithms scaling well, but they’ll still be considerably bigger.
The shortcoming with the above syntax is that it’s not really targetting the right thing. It tells the browser to choose based only on scaling factors and not on the actual rendered image sizes. An image could be set to display at 600 “CSS” pixels on a wide screen, like a desktop monitor, and 300 CSS pixels on a narrower one, like a phone. For a phone with 2 times scaling the 600 pixel image would then look fine but the browser doesn’t inherently know that the 1200 pixel image is unnecessary. So it will (probably) load the 1200 pixel image, making page-load slower than necessary and potentially gobbling up more of the user’s mobile data than warranted.
The specification for srcset_temp offers an alternative that seems to solve this issue: just directly list the widths of available images by specifying a number and the letter “w”:
<img
srcset_temp="plot-small.png 300w, plot.png 600w, plot-large.png 1200w"
alt="Scatter plot of age vs score. Line of best fit runs through the points, and an outlier can be seen at age 28, score 40.">
If the browser knows what size the img element will be rendered at, the sizes of the image options and the pixel density of the screen it can pick the best image for the job. The catch is that, at least when the browser sees the img tag for the first time, it won’t know what size it will be rendered at unless we specifically tell it. We can do that using the sizes attribute on the img element. Unfortunately, for responsive layouts this can get very messy and very confusing very quickly.
If you want to get into the nitty gritty of using srcset_temp with sizes then there is a great article on CSS Tricks that goes into way more detail than we have space for here. Let’s, instead, look at alternative ways of reducing the burden of large images.
Using Vector Graphics
The solution that makes life easy… when it’s applicable. Instead of using a PNG (or JPEG), use an SVG – a scalable vector graphic.
Advantages of SVG
Instead of storing data about the colours of millions of pixels, these files store a set of instruction for constructing an image. This is usually the perfect solution for company logos and most common chart types because they can be scaled however you like precisely because they’re just a list of instructions. No need to serve multiple images.
They can be added to the page in a number of ways, including using a simple img tag.
With a bit of JavaScript they can be made interactive and they’re easy to animate.
Shortcomings of SVG
They’re essentially useless for detailed images, like photography.
Fonts may not be rendered properly when added through the src attribute of an image tag if that font isn’t already on the users system. A work-around for this is to open a vector-image editor and find the option for rendering text as paths. While this will likely increase the file size a bit and cause minor imperfections in text rendering, it may be more problematic that this adds an extra step in the workflow when the SVGs are generated programatically.
Illustrative example
Use the controls below to change between image formats and scaling to see the effect.
It should be apparent that when you scale up a PNG or JPEG the image becomes more blurred
and that the SVG, for the most part, remains crisp regardless of the scale-factor. (You may notice small artefacts with the SVG text when scaled up. These are seen because the characters are rendered using SVG paths rather than fonts, as described in the previous section.)
Using New Image Formats
Given the above, you may think the available image options for the web looks something like this:
JPEG (with lossy compression) for images with (up to) millions of colours;
PNG for images with large consistent blocks of colours (like logos) or images that require transparency;
SVG for vector graphics;
GIF for your favourite animated meme.
But for images that can’t be easily represented in vector format there are several newer raster image formats: JPEG XL, WebP, AVIF and HEIC (A.K.A. HEIF) that offer better compression (lossy and lossless) than PNG, JPEG and GIF. Of these new formats, only WebP and AVIF have meaningful browser support, but that support is actually very good: currently 95.4% for WebP and 93.5% for AVIF. In fact, you may think support is good enough for both formats to not need to provide a fallback. However, if you want to, you can use the picture and source elements to cover even more browsers:
<picture>
<source srcset_temp="/images/home/whale-deep-dive-light-blue.webp 1x, /images/home/whale-deep-dive-light-blue@2x.webp 2x" type="image/webp">
<img src="/images/home/whale-deep-dive-light-blue.png" alt="Jumping Rivers' cartoon whale with Moon in background">
</picture>
In the above example we use the srcset_temp attribute to provide two different sizes in the WebP format and the img tag to provide a PNG fallback for older browsers (we assume users of older browsers aren’t using modern high-definition screens). The alt text also still needs to be included in the img tag rather than moved into the source or picture tags.
When it comes to choosing between WebP and AVIF, WebP has marignally better browser support, but consensus is that AVIF offers better compression. This is maybe not surprising since it’s a much newer new format than WebP, which actually turns fifteen in 2025. The downside to that is that we have found support for AVIF in editing tools to be much lower than it is for WebP. That landscape is always changing, however. WebP has one other advantage over AVIF: it supports lossy images with transparency so if you need small image sizes and transparency it’s the only format in town.
Both WebP and AVIF support image animation but, as you will see in the next section, there’s another alternative for replacing our old friend the GIF.
The example below shows a 300-pixel-wide image of The Catalyst building in Newcastle, where Jumping Rivers is headquartered. You can choose between viewing a lossless PNG, lossless WebP, lossy JPEG, and a lossy WebP image. The two lossless formats should look the same, but the WebP image is about 20% smaller in file size than the PNG. The lossy images both have “medium” levels of compression so should be of roughly comparable quality, but not identical (since they use different compression algorithms). The lossy WebP image is only about one third the file size of the JPEG!
Using Videos Instead of GIFs
GIFs, particularly animated GIFs, have been a big part of internet culture. However, they are a very old format with large file sizes and poor colour gamuts.): they are limited to a max of just 256 different pixel colours. All modern browsers support video natively through the video element and these offer much better compression and huge colour palettes.
The aria-label attribute is used like the alt text of an img element. The other attributes should be fairly self-explanatory: autoplay tells the browser to play the video automatically, loop to loop the video around back to the start when it finishes and muted not to play any sound. The latter is required because, thankfully, browsers will no longer autoplay videos with sound.
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Implications and Future Developments of Image Formatting on The Web
The evolving technology of devices and the corresponding monitor screens have necessitated a sharper focus on the effectiveness of image formats used on the web. From raster images like JPEGS, PNGs, and GIFs to the newer, more tech-friendly image formats, there have been significant developments. However, it cannot be overlooked that each format comes with its unique long-term considerations and implications.
Exploring the srcset_temp Attribute
To keep up with ever-improving screen resolutions, the srcset_temp attribute was introduced. This attribute allows developers to specify multiple images, from which the browser can choose the most suitable considering the user’s device specifications. This handy feature contributes significantly to ensuring better image quality for all users, regardless of the device they’re using.
The catch with srcset_temp lies in its dependence on image scaling factors rather than actual rendered image sizes. This discrepancy has been addressed with the option of listing the widths of available images directly. However, defining the sizes attribute for responsive layouts can quickly become complex.
Introduction of Vector Graphics
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) emerged as an uncomplicated alternative to PNGs and JPEGs. SVGs, in essence, contain a set of instructions for constructing an image instead of storing individual pixel information. As a result, they have significant advantages such as easy scaling, interactiveness, and relatively smooth animations.
However, SVGs aren’t a panacea—they remain ill-suited for intricate images like photography and also face challenges with proper rendering of fonts.
Emergence of New Image Formats
Some new raster image formats promise better lossy and lossless compression options. Of these, WebP and AVIF hold the most promise, thanks to their extensive browser support. Yet, choosing between these two presents a trade-off situation. While WebP enjoys marginally superior browser support, AVIF appears to offer better compression. This summary underscores the fluid nature of the image format landscape due to ongoing technological advancements.
Substituting GIFs with Videos
The widespread popularity of GIFs, despite their limitations, is nothing short of remarkable. However, the newer alternative – the video element – offers better compression options, extensive color palettes, and improved overall quality. It’s safe to say that videos may soon overshadow GIFs as the de facto choice for animated content on the web.
Actionable Advice for Developers
Consider adopting the srcset_temp attribute to cater to users with varied screen sizes and resolutions for raster images.
Incorporate Vector Graphics (SVG) for logos and charts for better scalability and interactivity.
Stay updated with new image formats like WebP and AVIF, and consider using them based on their compression capabilities and browser support.
Think about replacing GIFs with videos for better color palette and enhanced compression options.
In conclusion, developers should provide equal importance to the visual and response characteristics of the images they embed on their websites, given the increasing complexity of device technologies.
Stop letting errors crash your app. Master these 5 Python patterns that handle failures like a pro!
Mastering Python Error Handling: Long-term Implications and Future Developments
Python programming language’s beneficial features are numerous. However, like all programming languages, errors can sometimes crash your application. This setback can be mastered by utilizing the Python patterns that adeptly handle failures. Therefore, mastering these five Python patterns will result in fewer program crashes and a more seamless coding experience. They could potentially shape the future of Python programming and lead to the development of more efficient applications.
Key Points From the Prior Discussion
Errors often crash applications coded with Python.
Five Python patterns can effectively handle errors and prevent crashes.
Mastering these patterns enhance efficient coding experience.
Long-term Implications
Mastering the Python patterns that effectively handle errors is crucial for both beginner and expert-level programmers as it will significantly reduce program crashes. This proficiency will not only ensure smoother application functionality but also boost the reliability and trust of users on your application. More and more Python developers adopting these best practices means they will eventually become standard in Python coding, leading to the production of superior, error-resilient software.
Future Developments
Focusing on mastering these patterns could further drive the development and evolution of Python. As programmers encounter different and new types of errors, these patterns may be tweaked or modified to deal with these new failure scenarios. This implies that these error handling patterns are not static and can grow and adapt according to changing programming conditions.
Actionable Advice
Practice: Constantly use these patterns in your coding practice to gain proficiency in handling errors.
Keep Up To Date: Stay informed about new advancements in Python error handling strategies and test them out in your code whenever possible.
Don’t Shy Away From Errors: Don’t avoid errors as they are a part of the learning process. Instead, focus on handling and correcting them efficiently.
Share Knowledge: Share what you learn with other developers. This collective growth will greatly benefit the Python programming community as a whole and lead to the development of more error-resilient software.
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Remember, learning from errors and mastering patterns to handle them is an integral part of programming. So don’t fear the crashes, instead focus on mastering Python patterns that effectively handle these errors.
Introduction – Breaking the cloud barrier Cloud computing has been the dominant paradigm of machine learning for years. Massive data charts are uploaded on a centralized server, routed through a super-powerful GPU, and turned into a model that produces recommendations, forecasts, and inferences. But, what if there is not ‘only one way’? We live in… Read More »Decentralized ML: Developing federated AI without a central cloud
Decentralized Machine Learning: A Diverse Method for AI Development
Cloud computing has long dominated the realm of machine learning, producing immeasurable data that’s typically stored and processed within centralized servers. But what if this wasn’t the only means of AI development? Decentralized Machine Learning, or Federated AI, suggests a different possibility altogether. But what are the long-term implications and potential future developments of this approach?
Implications and Future Developments
The concept of Decentralized Machine Learning presents us with tremendous potential across numerous fields. For instance, by distributing tasks to several devices instead of just one central server, a host of fascinating possibilities emerge for data privacy, security, global collaboration, and real-time problem-solving. Could this be the future of AI development?
Improved Data Privacy
Under the Cloud Computing model, the complete dataset must be uploaded to one central server, which inevitably raises privacy concerns. With a decentralized approach, however, data remains on local devices, only sending the model updates to servers. This method greatly enhances data privacy, relieving concerns surrounding data protection.
Enhanced Data Security
Centralized data servers are often vulnerable to hacking. In a decentralized model, the potential attack surface is reduced as hackers would need to compromise many devices rather than one centralized server. This makes decentralized machine learning a more secure alternative.
Encouraging Global Collaboration
As Federated AI doesn’t require a central cloud, it presents an opportunity to create a truly global network. Developers from around the world could contribute to machine learning models – opening up new avenues for international collaboration.
Real-Time Problem Solving
By distributing tasks across multiple devices, data processing and problem-solving can occur in real-time. This accelerates the pace of machine learning and could revolutionize how AI approaches complex problems.
Actionable Advice
In view of these potential developments, there are a few steps organizations should consider. Firstly, businesses and institutions should begin to investigate decentralized models of data storage and machine learning. Regional laws surrounding data protection, including the GDPR in Europe, may soon make this practice less of a choice and more of a necessity.
Investigate Decentralized Models: The potential benefits suggest that time spent understanding and applying Federated AI would be well-invested.
Stay Ahead of Data Privacy Laws: With data privacy laws becoming increasingly stringent, adopting a decentralized approach can offer a reliable solution.
Facilitate International Collaboration: Embracing Federated AI will lead to an increase in global cooperation. Building partnerships with developers and organizations across the globe could be highly beneficial.
Equip for Real-Time Problem Solving: With the potential for real-time data processing and machine learning, businesses must be prepared to adapt quickly to change and take advantage of fast-paced problem-solving.
Federated AI is a promising approach that could potentially change the future trajectory of machine learning. As with all innovations, early adoption and adaptation will be crucial in making the most of this exciting possibility.
Building Online Credibility: The Art of Choosing the Right Domain Name for Financial Professionals
In a world where your online presence can be just as significant as your physical office, the domain name you choose for your website is your digital handshake. For financial professionals, a strong domain name is not just a URL—it is a powerful tool of communication, brand identity, and credibility in a highly competitive market. As such, the selection of an appropriate domain name isn’t a task to be taken lightly but an opportunity to strategically position your services within the digital landscape. This article aims to unravel the intricacies involved in choosing a domain name that not only stands out but also instills trust and professionalism.
Why Does the Right Domain Matter?
Before diving into the nuances of domain name selection, it is crucial to acknowledge the sheer impact a well-chosen domain can have on your digital identity. First impressions are vital in the finance industry, and your domain name is often the first point of contact between your business and potential clients. A domain name that resonates with your audience while encapsulating the essence of your brand can enhance recognition and foster trust—an invaluable currency in the realm of finance.
Key Considerations in Domain Selection
Selecting the right domain name is an exercise in balance and foresight. Below, we outline some of the critical factors that financial professionals must consider to navigate this digital terrain effectively:
Brand Relevance: Aligning your domain name with your brand to ensure that it is memorable and reflective of your expertise.
Professional Image: Conveying a sense of trustworthiness and legitimacy through a carefully crafted domain.
SEO and Visibility: Leveraging SEO best practices to improve your website’s online visibility and search rankings.
Future-Proofing: Choosing a domain that is adaptable to future growth and expansion of your services.
Overcoming Common Challenges
While the path to picking the perfect domain can be fraught with challenges—such as domain saturation and the fine line between creative and confusing choices—financial professionals can employ strategies to hurdle these obstacles with finesse.
Navigating trademark laws and regulations to ensure the legality of your domain choice
Weighing the pros and cons of trendy vs. classic domain names
Understanding the impact of domain extension variety (.com, .finance, .advisor, etc.) on consumer perception
In conclusion, this article will delve into these considerations and challenges with a critical lens, empowering financial professionals to make informed decisions that will solidify their online presence and, ultimately, win the trust of their clientele. The carefully curated insights provided serve as a north star for thriving in the digital age where the power of a domain name is unparalleled in building credibility online.
“In the digital age, trust is the currency of the realm, and a well-chosen domain name is the mint where it is coined.” — Your Financial Guide
This article details how modern financial professionals can earn credibility online by choosing the right domain name.
