Raster graphics or vector graphics, which to choose for web-site development/designing?

Question

While looking for a good tool for web-site development/designing on linux, I in the end got stuck with what to choose, the raster graphics or vector graphics.

1. Gimp/Photoshop -- if you prefer Raster graphics (bitmaps i think)
2. Inkscape/Fireworks -- if you prefer vector graphics (svg i think)

I am totally inexperienced in this domain, and i might be completely wrong in thinking vector graphics are better as if someone on the other-end zooms-into your page, the images will not distort, where as with raster graphics it will. And also bitmaps might be heavier and older style of imaging.

As i think now after, all this surfing, both the tools are (gimp/inkscape) are competent enough. In the end the choice comes to, what you wish to use for imaging vectors graphics or raster graphics.
Is vector graphics not the right way to do things, now.

Answer 1

The truth is that almost nobody I know of actually uses vector graphics on websites — possibly because of how little support it's had in the past, lower functionality, whatever. However, that doesn't mean it's not useful for generating bitmaps. For example, it's good to make logos as vector graphics (with Inkscape, Illustrator, etc.) because you can easily generate larger sizes if you need to. However, for small design details, raster graphics can provide more fine control over effects and things.