[WEB4LIB] Re: E: Sort of an easy question - how to write a page that

[Walt_Crawford at notes.rlg.org]

I'll have to take issue with some of this:

>Most people are going to get the plain-jane 15" that comes standard with
>the system, and a few will go for the 17" ones, but they will usually
>end up using those at 800x600.  Remember, in Libraries and in
>government, we have to aim for the lowest common denominator.  That is
>still 640x480 which represents >75% of computer users.  At least now we
>can use millions of colors rather than 256.

1. Seems to me that most studies done of browser use show that 800x600 has
been the majority resolution for some time now. I know that, if I was
designing, I'd try to go for "fully useful at 640x480, optimized for
800x600, and effective at anything up to 1280x1024". Indeed, seems to me
800x600 represents something like 75% of Web users. (I've tried lowering my
resolution to 640x480. It's amazing how little of any commercial Web site
you can even _see_ on the first page, after the browser takes its inflated
chunk of screen estate.)

2. On the other hand, you really can't _safely_ use anything but the
200-odd Net-safe colors. Why would a business user have a PC set to use
24-bit color? 16-bit color--and, for most business use, even 8-bit
color--lowers overhead and typically allows higher refresh rates.

3. Dell, Gateway, and Micronpc ship 16"-viewable (17" theoretical) displays
on all but the $799 entry models, and they make up a growing percentage of
the personal and business market. Indeed, all of them include 18"-viewable
displays on more powerful models. It's hard to believe that many people go
to the trouble of degrading a PC to a 15" display to save $60-$70 (the
price differential on Dell and Gateway $999-and-up models).

We have to support the lowest common denominator, but if we optimize for
that level, we're getting in everyone else's way. (My own opinions
only...and my personal Web pages are so underdesigned that none of this
matters.)

-walt crawford, sitting at a 16"-viewable display running at 1024x768 (at
work)-