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Old 12-27-2006, 05:42 PM
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imported_infitech imported_infitech is offline
 
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Default Fixed vs Fluid Styles

I did a search for similar threads here and I couldn't find one really going really in-depth about opinions on fixed vs. fluid styles.

I started a discussion about this on my website; Here's a quote from that conversation located @ New York Dev Forums: Fixed vs. Fluid
Quote:
I think the reason most

VBulletin sites use fixed is to have more control over their design.

With the direction current web trends are going these days I think a good majority of the websites out there in the future are going to be designed fixed width for

1024*768 if not 1280*1024. With new hardware and operating systems, monitors and what not, i think a good number of the PCs out there are using 1024*768

resolutions and higher. There is also the factor of line lengths when using a wider screen resolution. I think most who use larger resolutions prefer fixed as it makes

everything a lot more comfortable to read.

There are also other methods that designers can use to sort of mix and blend such as a mixed fluid with max-width element for internet explorer 5 and above

browsers, but unfortunately we are using the VBulletin script which works its own way.

But this is an old debate that I think ultimately will end as hardware continues to evolve.

This threads prompts me to start a fixed width vs. fluid thread.
What does the VBulletin community think about this?

I've always preferred fixed styles for one reason or another, but probably the main reason is because i just believe they plain out look better.
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Old 12-27-2006, 05:54 PM
Smoothie Smoothie is offline
 
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I think it's nonsense. No one is gonna shove this idea down my wind pipe that fixed width is the wave of the future. Fluid for me.
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Old 12-27-2006, 05:57 PM
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Basically, it's down to the style your designing. Some styles will look good fluid but look better fixed and vice versa. Saying Fixed vs fluid just doesn't cut it without knowing what the layout/design will look like and whether that design will look better as a fluid or fixed style.

In short, I find the design and structure of the style will determine which looks better.
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Old 12-27-2006, 06:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shelley_c View Post
Basically, it's down to the style your designing. Some styles will look good fluid but look better fixed and vice versa. Saying Fixed vs fluid just doesn't cut it without knowing what the layout/design will look like and whether that design will look better as a fluid or fixed style.

In short, I find the design and structure of the style will determine which looks better.
couldnt have said it better.
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Old 01-11-2007, 06:10 PM
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Most of my layouts are so graphically loaded that I cannot do them on a fluid design. With few exceptions all my sites are on fixed width
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Old 01-12-2007, 02:57 AM
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My preference is a fixed-width layout.
  • content is easier to read
  • it's easier to scan page (looking for something specific quickly)
  • the site will always look the same
  • layout size is similar to everyday magazines, business papers, letters, etc (8*10)
  • more control over design (eye candy)
With that said, a liquid layout is not wrong .. it just has to be handled differently.
On a photo(s) site, a liquid layout would work better. eg. showcase photos, etc

Other things you have to consider when designing an interface...
  • server resources (memory, bandwidth, http requests) - an increase in server resources regardless of type will have a negative affect on user experience
  • site's popularity (growth) - interface should be ready for growth
  • dial-up members
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Old 01-12-2007, 10:29 PM
HotHuskers.com HotHuskers.com is offline
 
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I think I have to agree that the information in fixed can be more uniformly displayed in a content specific manner. I think the question is whether or not that is desired?
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Old 01-12-2007, 10:36 PM
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I like a happy medium between the two, something like 85% width.
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Old 01-12-2007, 10:39 PM
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Everyone's goal is to get the visitor to read the content .. if not read there's no reason for the visitor to come back.

Content needs to be readable - formatting is essential ... the only reason someone would come back (revisit) is because there's something available that they want/need ... the only way to do this is to make the content easy to scan; easy to read; easy to find.
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Old 01-12-2007, 10:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Princeton View Post
Everyone's goal is to get the visitor to read the content .. if not read there's no reason for the visitor to come back.

Content needs to be readable - formatting is essential ... the only reason someone would come back (revisit) is because there's something available that they want/need ... the only way to do this is to make the content easy to scan; easy to read; easy to find.
That must be wht vb.org is fixed
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