[feelstupid]

I can understand the need for lowered bandwidth, but the need for better cross-browser and cross-platform support is more important.

For example; Github README files, we can insert a GIF of a screencast, but obviously we can't run our own JS, CSS, or embed video. There is where GIFs are the only option, unless of course you want to redirect to an external site, but for small repos it's overkill.

The other issue, is saving and sharing. How many people have a folder full of GIFs? Has anyone tried saving a GIF from the polymer element? As you can imagine, it saves a frame, which makes it useless. Sure, you can add a button to Download a compiled version or the original, but why should we add custom controls when everyone knows Right Click Save As?

For me, cross platform compatibility without requiring an extra file (HTML to actually play) per GIF if more important than filesize and bandwidth. Bandwidth is obviously costly, but maybe the issue is knowing when to create a GIF and when to create a video instead, why is the issue with the playback why not emphasise on the creation size?