PDA

View Full Version : Opinions


IRN101
03/28/2007, 22:31
I've been building websites for 11 years. I've made almost all of them variable width. The few that I have made fixed width I have done so for 800x600 screeens...

However, I am working on a design that I adore... BUT it doesn't really work as a variable width design. At least I don't like the way it spreads out.

And I don't want to make it 800px wide because it looks to cramped.

SO... Around 60% of users are viewing sites with browsers at 1024, and only 14-15% are at 800, the rest are all higher than 1024...

The userbase for this site is going to be professionals and those with higher incomes. I expect them to have larger monitors and higher resolutions.

I ran across a script that would allow me to use a different stylesheet for different resolutions. Once a resolution is below, 100px (or whatever I select) it loads another stylesheet.

I like this idea, except that the navigation I wanted to use was going to be graphical as opposed to text.

Do I just use text links (horizontal) so that I can convert the CSS file for smaller resolutions? Or do I say to hell with the smaller resolutions, they will need to change their resolutions, and make the nav graphical and keep the design the way I want it?

The site is 100% css/xhtml, fully semantic and mostly accessible. The only thing that wouldn't be would be the graphical rollovers, if I used them. I really like the graphics too... sigh...

trendywebs
03/29/2007, 12:01
I've also been making sites since past 4 yrs and i've completely switched to the 1024 x 768 resolutions. You can infact use JS to detect the resolutions and then manage appropriate CSS accordingly. It works fine. So, what you were thinking to do will work. Best of luck.

xtro
03/29/2007, 12:29
To hell with the smaller resolutions!

pim
03/29/2007, 15:53
well, welll... To just rave out 15% of your potential customers isn't the best practice. If your site makes $1000 per month, this means to lose $150 each and every month just because you have not put the effort to handle these users

IRN101
03/29/2007, 21:17
I'm rather leaning towards doing 1024 but making a simple css file for sites under 1000px. Will make things more difficult for me. Have to figure out a way around the horizontal nav bar...

IRN101
03/29/2007, 21:27
http://www.homesinboston.com/navbar.jpg

A scrrenshot of the unfinished site... It is VERY rough still...

thenthdoctor
03/30/2007, 22:38
Go with the CSS replacement tool, and just make a smaller or non-horizontal nav for <1024.

But do it after you're done with everything else, because 15% of the market share means lowest priority :)

BTW - purdy design.

IRN101
03/31/2007, 01:11
My big problem is just getting the aesthetic proportions right. The text-based css horizontal list just doesn't cut it for me. I hate the fonts available. I've been using trajan for titles and such and Georgia or Times just look bloody awkward.

Had another idea that might give me the best of both worlds...

The nav is an unordered list. What I'm wondering is if there is a way, Using css for an image-replace and the pseudo-class of hover... This way I could have the images I want on the larger resolution and have a simple text menu on the lower resolutions.

Anyone know of any problems with this as far as usability goes? My concern is IE 5.5-6 - I don't have them on my system anymore.

And thanks :) The site is for my wife. I wanted to make sure it looked good. I have an awesome interactive map that I am building based on http://alistapart.com/articles/cssmaps The site is going to be really great when finished. :)

IRN101
03/31/2007, 13:46
I did it using nothing but CSS. The nav bar looks awesome and I can create a completely different css file for smaller screens.

whew...

trendywebs
04/01/2007, 01:01
I love the design. Its really neat and simple. Keep up the good work old man:)

chemtech
04/04/2007, 07:33
Some JS browser resolution detection schemes degrade poorly.

The first idea that comes to mind is utilizing variable image size percentages to make the nav menu scalable.

Or perhaps a naturally scalable shockwave flash menu, although that may be form in itself.

Just my 2 cents..

Nirmeeti
04/09/2007, 09:31
Css is the best option so that your both customer would be happy... :cool:

Well your design is nice.. I really liked it..

pansyv
04/20/2007, 21:33
I agree, I like it, very elegant and classic!