Journal

Platforms, Browsers and Bears, oh my!

by James McGrath

In a perfect world everyone’s computer would be the same, we would all use the same hardware, operating system and software. Unfortunately this is not the case so when we create a Web site there are a number of things we must consider. Some of these are:

What Platform/Operating System is the person using? For example, Microsoft Windows XP or Apple OS X.

• Which browser is the person using? For example, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer or Apple’s Safari.
• What is the size of person’s monitor and at what resolution are they viewing at? For example, there is big difference between what you would see on a 15″ CRT monitor at 800 x 600 to a 19″ LCD monitor at 1152 x 864.
• What is the person’s Internet connection speed?

Each person has a somewhat different combination of the above and that means that each person may see a client’s Web site slight differently. Or if not coded correctly very differently, if at all. So when we create a Web site we must consider all the above so that a client’s Web site is viewable to a many people as possible.

At Rhizome we pride ourselves on creating sites that are not platform or browser specific. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee that someone on a PC from 1995 using the Browser that came with the PC will be able to view your site. Our goal is to create sites with technology that is usable today and still relevant tomorrow.

If you have any specific requirements for your site please let us know as soon as possible.

Filed under: Web Basics