According to W3Schools, the number of users with a screen resolution of 800 x 600 has decreased from nearly 50% to 14% in 5 years (from 2002 to 2007). So with 80% of all web browsers using a minimum screen resolution of 1024 by 768, do we still need to worry about designing for smaller screens?

If you ask our designers, the answer is a definite no. Absolutely not. Closely followed by “Tell them to get a proper monitor!” A screen resolution of 800 x 600 is pretty restrictive, especially with an emphasis on good-looking, well designed websites, plus it can look fairly pathetic on larger screens. Either a tiny box in the middle or stretched across the top of the monitor with really hard to read sentences.

Even our developers agree that building for larger screen resolutions is easier as more information can be made available. However, applications and forms that have been designed for a larger resolution can be difficult to use on 800 x 600 displays.

It is definitely a judgement call. Smaller displays are being replaced (according to http://www.w3counter.com/globalstats.php 800 x 600 screen resolution is down to 7.31% as of 31/01/2008) but you do need to take into account your target audience. If your target audience is a group of technophobes, the chances are they will still be using 800 x 600. There’s no real right or wrong answer…and in a few years time we’ll have exactly the same debate but with larger numbers!

We had a team meeting last week that started a mini debate into what exactly Web 2.0 is. My initial reaction was that it is just a lot of hype - I understand it’s a lot to do with web-based applications - but that generally it’s given more emphasis than it needs. I was disgareed with by many people around the table. So I decided to do a bit of research into it myself…

My first stop was Wikipedia which defines Web 2.0 as:

“a percieved second-generation of web-based communities and hosted services - such as social-networking sites, wikis and folksonomies - which aim to facilitate collaboration adn sharing between users.”

It goes on to say that it is not a new version of the web or technologies used, but to HOW the web is used. So, yes, I believe I was right in this aspect. And apparently I am not alone in my view. However, I do appreciate that the way the web is used is changing with the use of sites like Facebook, users are now expecting to get a lot more back from the web rather than just online shopping and research.

I suppose my point was how will it affect our customers? And us? The majority of sites we develop are for people who want a company brochure type site or eCommerce, so how do we incorporate Web 2.0 theories into these sites?

I will not ignore Web 2.0 and am definitely interested in the social side of the Web…I guess I just don’t like buzz words!

Isn’t it amazing how fast the Easter break goes, I even took an extra 2 days off either side. I did discover that I am a bit of a geek as I spent a lot of the weekend on blogs, MySpace or facebook. Not just finding friends but trying to work out why they are so successful. My findings? Well, people just like to stay in touch and a letter only works if you know their address. I managed to find so many people that I haven’t seen or heard from in so long. The Internet is making the world a very small place indeed. (A profound statement I know - especially for my first day back in work! But one I am going to leave you with)