Opinions please on screen size

user#606 · Post by **user#606** » Sat May 30, 2009 12:55 pm

When writing software for an unknown user where the screen layout needs to be complete without scrolling, what are your views or advice.

I have tended to work to a fixed size of 1024 x 768 with technical projects because it is so easy to print the card landscape without having to format the output again just for a printer.

However, a new project I have started has none of these constraints, just ease of use.

Others may have pondered this key factor, with their projects.

BvG · Post by **BvG** » Sat May 30, 2009 7:24 pm

Depends on your user group. I doubt anyone would have less then 1024x768. On the other hand, wide screen has emerged, and some low end ones may have less then 768 height. I generall find this information interesting, and I wish microsoft and apple would make similar data available:

http://update.omnigroup.com/

FourthWorld · Post by **FourthWorld** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:33 pm

Oddly enough, even with JavaScript and cookies turned on in Firefox I can't get the OmniGroup's page to display properly, though it does work well in Safari. I fear this may reflect the company's focus on the Mac market, which would also skew the stats they have.

I use this site to get a feel for current screen resolutions, OS penetration, and more:
http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_display.asp

While it is restricted to data gathered from web usage, that may be a good thing as most folks buying software are also on the web, filtering out systems purchased for use in automation or owned by people who aren't in a position to download apps anyway.

WaltBrown · Post by **WaltBrown** » Sun May 31, 2009 12:56 am

The ease of use issue may mean someone has more than one window open at a time. If that could be the case, as small a window as possible for the purpose would probably be the way to go - see some of Richard's library stacks for examples, like the color or brush pickers.

Walt