Abstract: A method is provided for interactively transmitting image data over a communication link. Typically the image data is communicated between a server and a client connected to each other by the communication link. The method includes the steps of transmitting an initial representation of image data from the server to the client which displays data at full size, receiving further queries using an image query syntax, interpreting the query and measured network performance data and returning further image data to the client. The client incorporates this data and displays an improved representation of the image. The initial representation of the image data could be displayed at lower resolution.