Optimizing is simply gaining a balance between image quality and file size.
The point is to get good image quality with small file size so that you get fast downloads.
Here is how you get it done in Fireworks:
Go to the Optimize window at the right of your screen. If it is not there, go to Window, Optimize to open it.

The Optimize window lets you choose your file type for Export. {As stated in the Important Notes on Saving Images, Fireworks will only save as a .png -- you have to Export to get another file type.}
There are several types to choose from, but right now, stick with GIF and JPEG. How do you know which to choose? The rule of thumb is that you use JPEG (.jpg) for photos and GIF (.gif) for other digital images.

• With JPEG, the idea is to have a fast download with good quality. You can have a fairly low Quality (30-50) and still have a nice photo.

• With GIF, the quality is set by the number of Colors you choose to show in your image (2 is the lowest and 256 is the highest).
With either GIF or JPEG, the trick is to keep the download time under 10 seconds for a 56kbps modem.
Experiment with your quality (can be seen on the Preview Tab) until you have the best you can get under 10 seconds.

After you have set your Optimizing values, you are ready to Export. The Export button is the little yellow circle at the top right of your image window.

Click the Export button and go to Dreamweaver, Export HTML.

A window will come up allowing you to choose where and how you want to save your new file.

In the Export window, be sure to check Save In (where you are saving the file). {Many computers are loaded with "lost" files.} Check the File name to be sure that is the one you want. In the Save as type blank, choose Images Only (not HTML and Images).

So now that you know how to rotate, crop, color, enhance and otherwise jazz-up your photos, take the next step and put them on the web!

Let's create a neat background for your web page.