Rikki Gill on tue 27 may 03
Hi list, I would like to hear from you about the size of a new website. My
soon to be launched website is currently in 1024 mode. [ I probably didn't
say that right.] The older size is 600x800 whatevers. I would like to keep
the larger size, although I am personally impacted, because probably that is
the direction the cyberworld is heading towards. I have a flat screen, too
expensive to change now, and suspect many similarly underpaid potters
probably have the smaller size as well. I would like to think I may
actually sell workoff my website, and in that case the bigger size might be
better. Please share your thoughts with me.
I didn't even know this problem existed, but if you have to use sliders to
see the whole image, as I do, you also have a smaller monitor.
Thanks to all, Rikki
Wendy Peck on tue 27 may 03
Rikki,
The numbers you are referring to are resolution settings, or the number of
pixels that can display across a monitor. 1024 displays 1,024 pixels, 800
displays 800 pixels, and so on. These are settings for monitor display, not
monitor size, though monitors tend to be set at standard resolution for
their size when they leave the shop. Few people change their settings.
Most professional designers, including me, design for 800 pixel wide display
with no scrolling from left to right, and make sure that it also looks good
at 1024 pixel resolution. Between these two settings, you cover almost all
of the market. There are higher resolutions, usually used on very large
monitors, but it is common practice for those viewers to keep use windows at
a reduced size, effectively falling into the 800 or 1024 range anyway. There
are still a few people using 640 resolution, and people with that setting
must scroll left to right to see all the information. I handle that small
percentage my ensuring that the most important information on the site is to
the left, usually using a third column that contains optional information.
In the varied views your visitors see, the above will deliver the best view
to the most people.
However, if your site is designed for 1024 and scrolls at 800, you are
causing extra work and perhaps lost information for many viewers. I use 800
resolution on a 17" monitor for my surfing, because it is easier on my eyes.
However, new computers are almost all set for 1024 on a 17" screen, and as I
mentioned before, few people ever change settings. I am not up on current
numbers, but as little as a year ago, over 50% of visitors on the entire Web
were using 800 resolution. 1024 was about 25% if I remember right. Those
numbers have certainly shifted, but by designing at 1024, you are still
going to have a high percentage of users - I'm guessing 40% or so - who
have to scroll.
When I hit a site that is designed for 1024 only, and I have to constantly
scroll back and forth, unless I am desperate for the information, I leave.
It's just too much work. Web surfers are notoriously impatient, and for very
little reason, will bail and find another site. If you decide to keep the
1024 setting, make sure you take a look at what falls into the 200 pixels at
the far right. Many of your visitors will never see that information, so
make sure your site will still work in that case.
I hope that helps you to make your choice.
Wendy
Great Web Typography: Techniques for great CSS and graphic text, with tips
from top industry professionals. Just released. http://wpeck.com/type/
KISS: Keep It Simple ... Create effective, CSS-controlled menus and menu
areas with Wendy Peck at http://productiongraphics.com
Author: Menus with Beauty and Brains and Weekend Crash Course Dreamweaver MX
and 4 (Amazon.com)
Wendy Peck http://wpeck.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rikki Gill"
Hi list, I would like to hear from you about the size of a new
website. My
soon to be launched website is currently in 1024 mode. [ I probably didn't
say that right.] The older size is 600x800 whatevers.
Arnold Howard on wed 28 may 03
I would size the website so that it looks good on the small 15" monitor.
A lot of people have that size.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P.
www.paragonweb.com
From: Rikki Gill
> Hi list, I would like to hear from you about the size of a new
website. My
> soon to be launched website is currently in 1024 mode. [ I probably
didn't
> say that right.] The older size is 600x800 whatevers. I would like
to keep
> the larger size, although I am personally impacted, because probably
that is
> the direction the cyberworld is heading towards.
Bob Nicholson on wed 28 may 03
The best way to make this decision is with real data. I monitor a number
of commercial websites. My current stats show that about 30% of site
visitors have 800x600 screens. (Roughly 2% have 640x480)
My advice to my clients is to design for 800x600. Of course, that's not
all usable space, since menu bars and window borders take up space! I
recommend a PAGE SIZE of 720x520.
You are correct that screens are getting larger, but for the next few years
I think the 800x600 segment will remain too significant to ignore.
Regards,
Bob Nicholson
>Hi list, I would like to hear from you about the size of a new website. My
>soon to be launched website is currently in 1024 mode. [ I probably didn't
>say that right.] The older size is 600x800 whatevers. I would like to keep
>the larger size, although I am personally impacted, because probably that is
>the direction the cyberworld is heading towards. I have a flat screen, too
>expensive to change now, and suspect many similarly underpaid potters
>probably have the smaller size as well. I would like to think I may
>actually sell workoff my website, and in that case the bigger size might be
>better. Please share your thoughts with me.
>I didn't even know this problem existed, but if you have to use sliders to
>see the whole image, as I do, you also have a smaller monitor.
>Thanks to all, Rikki
Diane Serley on wed 28 may 03
Screen resolution and browser size are not exactly the same thing. So if
you have a user who has a screen resolution of 1024x768 their browser may
using only 1/2 of the abvailable space (or however else the user re-sizes
the browser)
But there are ways to create a site that works well on all screen
resolutions and all browser dimensions:
1. You can use a table to create the page format and indicate that the
table width and height are 100%. This will make the page fill whatever
browser size the user has.
2. You can use CSS to create the page format and use a to size the
content.
If this explaination is "greek" (or more acurately "geek") to you, feel
free to contact me off list and I will explain how this is done.
Diane Serley
Brian on wed 28 may 03
On 27/5/03,Rikki wrote...
>Hi list, I would like to hear from you about the size of a new website. My
>soon to be launched website is currently in 1024 mode.
Rikki
I designed my own site last year and soon learned that we have no
control over what size screen and resolution the viewer is using and
how they are seeing it.
I am at 1024 X 768 pixels, as you are, and was stunned by the
increased size of the images on my friends monitor, (and also the
shift in colour)
At the time I read that the average monitor was set at 800 X 600 and
the world was still full of the older 640 X 480 monitors. The latter
will really balloon your pictures and text
In the end I decided to keep my images small to cater for all those
screens that blow up the pixels.
I think the the quality of the images is probably more important than
a full screen size
Have a look at my site and we can continue discussion of list if you want to
very best wishes
Brian
--
ceramic desigNZ
http://www.gartside.info
New Zealand
| |
|
