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Subject:Re: Monitor/Resolutions From:Tim Merrick <TimM -at- ILE -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 15 Aug 1997 10:50:20 -0600
Geoff Lane wrote:
> I don't think there is such a thing as a "standard" resolution. I
> currently design to the lowest resolution that I can *reasonably*
> expect to
> be used. At present, this is usually 800x600 but I treat each project
> individually.
>
> Users may not use the highest resolution available for a number of
> reasons, including:
> - ignorance. That is, the user either doesn't know how to change
> resolution or doesn't know that the higher resolution exists.
> - refresh rate and/or interlacing. This is the reason why I'm using
> 1024x768 even though my monitor will go to 1280x1024. Unfortunately,
> it
> will only do 1280x1024 @ 60Hz -- and that is major headache material.
> - colour depth. In some circumstances, users will trade resolution
> for an
> increased number of displayed colours.
> - corporate policy. My current major client has imposed an NT policy
> restriction that prevents users from changing their resolution. 95%
> of the
> users are looking at expensive 21" displays that are restricted to
> 1024x768
> (thankfully, this policy is now under review).
>
Geoff et al:
I responded to Suzanne's original post, but my reply seems to have
gotten lost in cyberspace.
I agree with Geoff that one should design to the lowest common
denominator. While I think that 800 x 600 is a reasonable assumption, I
prefer to design for 640 x 480. Why? For a reason that seems to have
been overlooked in this discussion. I am legally blind, so I set my
monitor resolution to 640 x 480 to be able to see clearly what I am
doing. I would guess that I am not the only computer user with low
vision.
Tim Merrick
Senior Technical Writer
ILE Communications Group
timm -at- ile -dot- com http://www.ile.com
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