Fixed Width v. Default...

[FixItPete]

I keep seeing a lot of people using the fixed-width contribution and I'm interested to know why that is. All of the biggest online retailers use full screen.

 

So what am I missing?

 

Pete

[♥Vger]

With a fixed width site which has also been centered you know when you design it what it will look like on any size of screen.

 

My sites look the same whether I view them on a 15" screen, 19" screen, or a 21" screen. If they used the default "100%" setting then the store would look very 'stretched' on a large screen.

 

It also allows you to engage in absolute placement of images. For instance, on a modified osCommerce site with lots of small thumbnail images, and 'click here' type of pop-ups, those pop-ups can be placed to open exactly where you want them to, provided that the site is a fixed width. It can be really annoying if you click on a link in the middle of a large screen and the pop-up appears in the top left corner, well away from where your mouse is situated on the screen.

 

It also allows you to set a different background colour on the screen outside of the website itself - which can look very good.

 

Vger

[FixItPete]

Vger,

 

Ahhhh... I think I may be sold on your CSS one. I like the idea.

 

Thanks for the explanation. :)

 

Pete