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Launch of DjVu image viewer

Many of you have commented that using DjVu software to view images on findmypast can be difficult. As part of our ongoing plans to make the site easier to use, we have developed a "standard viewer" that you do not need to download.

We hope this will make life easier, especially for users of Apple Macs or Linux/Unix-based computers.

We now offer two ways to view images on findmypast: our newly-launched "standard viewer" and our enhanced viewer (based on our existing DjVu technology). Best of all, you don't need to change anything to use the viewers and it is easy to swap between them.

The new standard viewer allows anybody with an up-to-date browser to view all images on findmypast without installing extra software, using Flash technology.

Although it is called the standard viewer, we have been absolutely astonished by the image quality that our technical team have been able to achieve and are confident that it will be more than adequate for most users. Using the standard viewer means that when you download an image it is saved as a JPEG file which:

• can be viewed by any browser
• is easier to add to your family tree on Family Tree Explorer
• can be shared with family and friends by email

We have kept our original DjVu technology in place but renamed it the enhanced viewer. If you have already installed the DjVu programme, you can continue to view images using it.

The enhanced viewer offers a faster download and higher image resolution so it is most suitable for those with slower internet connections or the need for an extremely high quality image.

If you have viewed findmypast images in the past, you will automatically continue to use our enhanced viewer. No changes are necessary and you will see the highest quality image available.

If you wish to change from one image viewer to the other at any time, this is simple to do - just click on the links in the top of the image window to change between them.

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