1) All my browsers have the default settings for mime types.
2) Tricks like changing the extension of a pic at geocities to .txt are used by many people I know, and everyone can view those images without altering anything in their browsers.

I don't know exactly how it works, I just know that it does.

1) 'default' setting says nothing! As I've heard from many people, EI for example doesn't give a shit about MIME type definition of the server 'by default'. I thought the others browsers were smarter, but then, I had to help NetDanzr into getting his Opera to display png-images properly because it always showed it with a Quicktime plugin a few weeks ago. You see, it's not always the same.

2) Only fools need such 'tricks'. It's one of the lamest things I've ever come across - face it.

When you want to host sig pics somewhere without paying for a server, these tricks are the most reliable way. This trick has worked with geocities for years, and will likely work for years to come. Free sites that don't block hotlinking are hard to find, and rarely last long before A) they shut down your acct and delete your files B) they block hotlinking or C) close down service.

Carry on with your childish ways as you wish. I don't care as long as you keep it somewhere else.