Resolution

Resolution

What this page is for, it to make people aware of the fact that pages can be viewed in any resolution and look exactly the same. Have you ever gone to a page that says "This page best viewed with a 17 inch monitor"? and you're going "but I don't have one!". Or how about the page that you have to scroll way to the right to see/read everything? It's a general misconception, on the internet, that the size of the monitor makes all the difference, when in reality, that's simply not true. What should be said, perhaps, is resolution.

For graphic designers, I urge you to create graphics that are resolution friendly graphics. What does that mean? It means that if you create a bordered background that is only 640 wide, those of us who travel at 800 or 1024 are having a very hard time reading what people are placing on your backgrounds. You all make beautiful things, but please, make them wider. Also include the table coding for using your background correctly. Please don't include a table that is only 640 because it looks funny to the rest of us =)

Here's an example of how to do a table with a bordered background.. that will work for any resolution:

Need a glassbrick? *right mouse click to save* Just adjust the width accordingly and the percentage on your table and you're set to go! Also if you intend for your background to border on both sides, please include the coding for making that work properly =)

For those that aren't sure how to adjust your resolution. If you go to your control panel.

start
settings
control panel

and find display. It's the little monitor type thing there. Once that's open, the first thing to do is go to settings, and you'll find a little box there that you can put a checkmark in. This will put a little display icon down in your task bar. Why? For fast access to your screen saver, appearance, and your resolution size.

On the same tab, you should see a a rainbow type box, that above it will have a pulldown menu .. click it, and you'll see four different choices:

16 color
256 color
High color (16 bit)
True color (24 bit)

Most likely you're set up at 256 colors.. now if you switch it to 16 bit, you should see a very large difference in the rainbow below that. This will allow you to see and use more colors. (my pages are not set up for 256 viewing in most cases) To the right of that box, you'll see a slide bar that will show you what your monitor is currently set up at.

640x480
800x600
1024x768

Now you'll see examples on the screen that is above those, what your desktop will look like when you switch those. Also be aware that if your video card does not support a higher number with the higher color pallet, such as the 1024x768 and 16 bit color, then you won't be able to use it, but you can use the next number down. You have to be the deciding factor as to what numbers are best for you, for viewing. You can also pick your font sizing on that part of the display properties.

Once you've switched those, click:

apply at this point, it may ask you about restarting your computer, simply answer "ok"
ok

Now what does all this mean as far as a webpage goes? Well if you use pixels as a form of measurement, things will not be the same to all viewers. 300 pixels if just less then half of the 640 resolution.. whereas for those of us who are on a higher resolution, it's considerably smaller then that. (I'm on 1024 and it's only 1/4th of the screen.) *This is also discussed in the tables tutorial.

Why do people think it has to do with monitor size? I really can't answer that one, except maybe they haven't learned how to adjust their display properties. Pages can be seen on all monitors the same, as long as you remember about resolution. I tend to check things in all resolutions........ and as a test for this page, I checked through my entire site, using my husband's laptop, which only has a 12" screen *or so* and there's no difference.

See for yourself, play with your display properties, find a setting that works for you.. but you really should take it off the 256 colors and see a whole new world of color.