[WEB4LIB] Re: 800x600 and fluid elements

[Michael L. McEvoy]

800x600 is a good guideline for minimum resolution for a fluid design
(i.e. the site looks good anywhere between 800x600 and 1900x1200). Fluid
design is the best bet because it meets the resolution requirements of the
most users. Locking the resolution design does little but guarantee a
strict design and set across board. Some people may actually prefer this.

Fluid design is slightly harder to implement as well, becuase you have to
make sure all of the elements will work in multiple resolutions. 

That's my opinion.

On Mon, 18 Nov 2002, Jeremy Foster wrote:

> In most cases, if a fluid design is possible it is the best direction to move in.
> 
> This will make the site look good on a number of users sytems.
> 
> my 2 cents...
> -Jeremy
> 
> 
> On Mon, 18 Nov 2002 Smith Barbara  wrote:
> > We're working with a designer who is creating a series of designs for some
> > new e-products, including two that involve filling in a lot of forms.  (One
> > is an online reporting form, the other is an online application.)
> > 
> > The designer recommends 800x600 resolution, with static logo header and bars
> > to separate different sections.  Nothing would be fluid.  The contractor for
> > one of the projects thinks that fluid bars and forms make more sense,
> > because they expand with the change in resolution.  If I use 1152 x 864
> > resolution on a 19" monitor, I can see a whole lot more of the form than
> > what's available in the limits of 800x600.  But if the static parts of the
> > design (logo header and bars) don't expand to match the screen resolution,
> > they appear truncated and not very attractive.  I'm the referee, and I don't
> > have much skill or knowledge in Web design and implementation.
> > 
> > How are others dealing with this question?  In terms of design and
> > usability, is it better to stay within a smaller footprint?  
> > 
> > It would be really helpful is you can suggest some Web sites that have been
> > effective in either 800x600 or fluid designs that can adjust well to any
> > setting.
> > 
> > Thanks in advance, Barbara
> > 
> > 
> > Barbara G. Smith,  Technology Officer
> > Institute of Museum and Library Services
> > 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 223
> > Washington, DC 20506
> > 
> > voice:    202/606-5254
> > fax:       202/606-1077
> > e-mail:  bsmith at imls.gov
> > on the Web:  www.imls.gov
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> Jeremy Foster
> HRL Webmaster
> -----------------------------------  
> agjf1 at nsh.library.ns.ca
> Tel: (902)490-5670
> http://www.halifax.library.ns.ca
> ----------------------------------- 
> Alderney Gate Library
> 60 Alderney Drive
> Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 4P8          
> -----------------------------------                                                       
> 
> 

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