Creating Transparent GIFs with Photoshop CS3

Every now and then I have a need to create a custom logo or wallpaper.  After trawling through endless tutorials, here is the easiest method that I can find:

1. Open the file in Photoshop.
2. Convert to RGB mode (Image > Mode > RGB).
3. In the Layers palette, double-click on the name of the “Background” image. A dialog box will appear, asking you to rename it. Just click OK.
4. In the Tools palette, select the Magic Wand tool.
5. In the Tool Options bar at the top of the screen, set the tool tolerance to somewhere around 10, and toggle the “Anti-Aliased” and “Contiguous” options OFF.
6. Click on any white area in the image. All of the white areas should be immediately selected.
7. Delete the selection. You should see a faint checkerboard pattern in the deleted areas; this indicates areas that will be transparent in the GIF you’re about to create.
8. Save the image for web (File > Save for Web). In the Save dialog box that appears, use the following settings: GIF format; 0 Lossy; Adaptive method; 64 colors; Diffusion dither; 90% dithering. Make sure the “Transparency” checkbox is checked ON, and select a white Matte color. When you’re done, click Save and specify a filename and location.