the GIMP is free but apparently not so simple.I use this, because it's already on my work PC:
ms-gif-animator.en.softonic.com/
however, it's a bit pants, and doesn't have any optimisation controls.
You can keep file sizes down by reducing your palette in the component GIF files, and by fiddling about with smaller rectangles within your animation to mask over the parts which are changing.
which is a bitch to do by hand.
Rapitinui get in the cage and I'll give you a treat,
Mon 10 Mar 2008, 3:25,
archived)