I used to go fixed, but nowadays I think fluid is more professional on the default skin.

Designs that are designed specifically for fluid width look okay. Trying to make a fixed width design fluid takes away from the design. I prefer fixed, but not extremely narrow.

I find myself doing alot of fixed designs however this is due to the exterme detail and hrs put into certain images. I have logos that total have about 40-50 man hrs in them and would look horrible if stretched.

Fixed. All the way.

Paul M - That's quite a strong response. Do you have a resolution greater than/equal to 1920x1200? If so, you probably shouldn't be maximizing your browser, and therefore I'm not sure where you're getting the "half a screen-width wasted" estimate from. :)

I'm on the largest fixed width style here (950?), and there is currently only 60px on each side of the main body. I'm on a 1920x1200 screen. No wasted space here.

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Anyway, readability turns to CRAP on fluid widths; they are the bane of my existence. I got into this entirely too long drawn out argument with a friend (who has a 30" 2560x1600 screen), and he actually believes fluid width on a forum is a good thing. When sitting at his desk you actually have to pan your head back and forth to read anything. I seriously think he's either really stupid or completely delusional.

I can't believe so many have voted for fluid, either. Quite disappointing actually. Fluid introduces soooo many damn complications that can be removed completely if you just design around a decent fixed width. A wide fixed width at that. I don't care about users who still use 800x600 monitors either. I have people screaming at me over at vB.com that 20-30% of the internet still uses 800x600 and that gave me a really good laugh.

But if you really want to get technical, the best design possible is a fluid width with min and max widths set on the body. :)

fluid all the way

Fixed...they just look better to me...fluid seems so old school and barbaric. :D

<font color="Red">fluid all the way </font>

With widescreen monitors becoming thew norm, fluid is the only way to go. I have a fixed skin but am looking for a good fluid skin to replace it.

What's an "elastic' skin? I have never heard of that before or have ever seen one that I know of.

fluid - dont see why people want everything cramped up in one small area.Fixed is fine is u have side bars on etc for advertising but if not then its a waste of valuable space.

fixed, when it's done right it looks best IMO though I'm guilty of the style breaking in a couple of places on my forums... fluid styles more often than not look empty to me since everything is so stretched. I have a 24" widescreen monitor too though so its even more exaggerated for me lol.