ImageMagick - hosting

[karlovac]

I've done some research on ImageMagick both on this site, and on ImageMagick.org.

But I just need a really basic answer:-

Is this something that most hosts that support PHP (that are good value - US$15/Month) have installed already, or do you have to have to have your own server?

Do hosts tend to be OK about installing extras, if it is an extra?

Is there some other standard technology that I can count on being there to resize images uploaded via a browser?

Thanks

Antun

[van__]

Is there some other standard technology that I can count on being there to resize images uploaded via a browser?

Yes, it's called GD.
Just about every host with PHP has it installed since it's a standard library with most *nix distros anyway.

ImageMagick, is not something I've seen on any host, including mine where I pay $150 a month, but I got $root.
But, I just use GD for that sort of thing.

[Anon]

Like Van says, ImageMagick does not seem to be installed on most hosts. (I have seen a few that has though, but only in Norway).

If you have a good reason for not using GD (such as expecting bitmap images), you may want to try ImageMagick or netpbm. In many cases, you can actually install this software yourself. It does not necessarily require system administrator to do so. Check the IM/netpbm docs for more info (I have never tried installing as anything but root, but it should, theoretically, be doable). You will need a host that allows you shell-access though.

Anyway, GD is probably the best choiche if it does what you need.

[karlovac]

Thankyou both for your replies.

If I find an account with root access, does that mean that I can install anything I want? (Theoretically ImageMagick).

Antun

[van__]

Ya, with root the server is yours to do with as you please.