Convert PBM to MONO

The PBM (Portable Bitmap) file extension, part of the Netpbm project, originated in the late 1980s to facilitate efficient and portable graphics file interchange. Primarily, PBM files are used to store monochrome bitmaps in a simple ASCII text format, ensuring easy compatibility across different systems and platforms. This format supports only black-and-white imagery, making it particularly useful in scenarios where simplicity and minimalism are prioritized, such as in Unix environments for bitmap manipulation and transfer. Its historical significance lies in promoting a standardized approach to bitmap graphics in early computer technology.

The MONO file extension stands for "Monochrome Bitmap" and is used for storing raw bi-level bitmap images, which are essentially black-and-white images without any color or grayscale. This format is primarily utilized in applications requiring simple, high-contrast images, such as fax transmissions and certain types of document scanning. The MONO format, characterized by its least-significant-byte first order, has been supported by various image processing tools. Its history traces back to early bitmap graphics needs, emphasizing simplicity and efficiency in image storage and processing.