Re: Image mode

[Lennart Borgman (gmail)]

Richard Stallman wrote:
>     Files for which the user is likely surprised that they are image
>     files.  It seems like inappropriate file extensions (either those
>     suggesting a different major mode, or those suggesting nothing at all)
>     would be a good indicator.
>
> I didn't believe this before, and I don't believe it now.
> There is no rational reason to assume that an extension of .jpg
> means the file can't do harm.  Most users do NOT feel suspicious
> of files on account of a name ending in .jpg.
>
> If indeed it is safe to open images if and only if their extensions
> say they are images, the reason would have to be something more subtle
> than what people have said here so far.

You can for example have heard that a new security bug was discovered in 
jpeg libraries. Then you would avoid opening jpeg images until this has 
been fixed.

In such a case it is important to know how your program will open the 
images. (Will the program use the jpeg libraries?)