Who is Mr. Sid?

This question is more accurately stated as what is MrSID? MrSID is the Multi-Resolution Seamless Image Database. It’s a file format used for distributing large images over networks, originally developed by a company called LizardTech. Graphics in MrSID format are compressed with a lossless compression algorithm (a method of compressing data that guarantees the original data can be restored exactly) designed to produce relatively small, high-resolution images. The file format is perfect for aerial and satellite images that have large file sizes, and the government is increasingly using it for distributing data. (The Library of Congress is even using it for electronic versions of paper documents.) A number of free viewers support MrSID; use Google to find download sites. (One of my favorites is IrfanView, which is available at www.irfanview.com.)