Play online bingo with friends in the UK at Jackpotjoy Bingo.
Friday, December 4. 2009
Fixed or variable width?
As Facebook users have probably noticed, Facebook uses a fixed width layout - no matter how big your web browser window is or what screen resolution you use, the Facebook "active" area always has the same width and is displayed at the center of the window.
BrainKing, on the other hand, uses a flexible width viewport for its inner space. The "towers" (left and right column) are always positioned at the very left and right edge of the browser window, and the main area (inner space) width is automatically adjusted to fill the remaining space.
Fixed layout:
1) Advantages - the page width is always the same, so it is very easy to find the right position and size for any elements you want to place. It is not necessary to optimize the content of "boxes" to fit all possible settings of user web browsers.
2) Disadvantages - if your web browser window width is too small, it won't be capable of displaying the whole page and you would be forced to use the horizontal scrollbar to see the right part of the page. If it is too wide, the page will occupy just the central part and there would be bad looking (and unused) margins. People might be frustrated that they cannot enlarge the active area to put more information there.
Flexible layout:
1) Advantages - the browser window space is always fully used and if you want to show more text without scrolling down the page, it is easy to enlarge the window and get more space.
2) Disadvantages - it requires a more complex system to size and position elements that should be customizable (resize, move, collapse etc.). It might be more difficult for programmers who want to contribute their own applications, regarding their visual design.
Any opinions?
In fact, I always preferred a flexible layout because a narrow content looked terrible on my 30'' monitor when the browser window is maximized, but I agree that I am probably not a typical user of the web. In my opinion, a good compromise - horizontally extendable inner space with fixed width columns - would be the best solution.
BrainKing, on the other hand, uses a flexible width viewport for its inner space. The "towers" (left and right column) are always positioned at the very left and right edge of the browser window, and the main area (inner space) width is automatically adjusted to fill the remaining space.
Fixed layout:
1) Advantages - the page width is always the same, so it is very easy to find the right position and size for any elements you want to place. It is not necessary to optimize the content of "boxes" to fit all possible settings of user web browsers.
2) Disadvantages - if your web browser window width is too small, it won't be capable of displaying the whole page and you would be forced to use the horizontal scrollbar to see the right part of the page. If it is too wide, the page will occupy just the central part and there would be bad looking (and unused) margins. People might be frustrated that they cannot enlarge the active area to put more information there.
Flexible layout:
1) Advantages - the browser window space is always fully used and if you want to show more text without scrolling down the page, it is easy to enlarge the window and get more space.
2) Disadvantages - it requires a more complex system to size and position elements that should be customizable (resize, move, collapse etc.). It might be more difficult for programmers who want to contribute their own applications, regarding their visual design.
Any opinions?
In fact, I always preferred a flexible layout because a narrow content looked terrible on my 30'' monitor when the browser window is maximized, but I agree that I am probably not a typical user of the web. In my opinion, a good compromise - horizontally extendable inner space with fixed width columns - would be the best solution.
Trackbacks
Trackback specific URI for this entry
No Trackbacks
Comments
Display comments as
(Linear | Threaded)
If i am understanding that then Filip, that means we would NOT get a horizontal scroll bar in the centre ? but we could at the sides ?
That sound ideal, i would the a horizontal scroll bar where the game board is displayed.
That sound ideal, i would the a horizontal scroll bar where the game board is displayed.
Comments (3)
That should say:
That sound ideal, i would HATE the a horizontal scroll bar where the game board is displayed
That sound ideal, i would HATE the a horizontal scroll bar where the game board is displayed
Comments (3)
Right, there should be no horizontal scrollbar. I don't like them either. 
Comment (1)
Personally, I would prefer flexible. (I have large screens both at work and at home )
I guess it just comes down to if you want BK to be more convenient for the user, or the programmer.
NOT being a programmer, I have NO clue just how much more difficult it is for you.
)I guess it just comes down to if you want BK to be more convenient for the user, or the programmer.
NOT being a programmer, I have NO clue just how much more difficult it is for you.
Comment (1)
I also prefer the flexible layout. I usually have a fairly wide browser, but I occasionally make it narrow to fit other windows on the screen. Fixed layouts almost always end up with dead space or scroll bars, both of which are annoying.
Comment (1)
All I can say is that I don't think I would care either way if it was fixed or flexable - would probable say fixed since I think it would work best with what I'm about to mentioned next.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - do make it an option to have the game play games load with only one table across. I HATE it now because I have to leave the game notation on (mention more about that next), so if my connection is slower, the game itself will start to load, I will move my mouse to the box I'm ready to play, click.. but POOF the right hand table with the game notation load and push the game board over to the left some - making me mis-click my move. UGH
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - either fix games where inforamtion is needed from the game notation is shows on the game area (so we can get rid of showing it), or make it so we can have it on only on certain games which need it.
I would LOVE to turn off the game notation, but unfortuantly I need information from if for some of the games. Like Frog Finder - I need to know where missed shots were fired. I had turned off game notation and found I made the same missed shot 3 times in a row. Other games like Ice Aged Chess so you know when the ice age is going to happen, and a few other games also need the game notation on to play the games.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - do make it an option to have the game play games load with only one table across. I HATE it now because I have to leave the game notation on (mention more about that next), so if my connection is slower, the game itself will start to load, I will move my mouse to the box I'm ready to play, click.. but POOF the right hand table with the game notation load and push the game board over to the left some - making me mis-click my move. UGH
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - either fix games where inforamtion is needed from the game notation is shows on the game area (so we can get rid of showing it), or make it so we can have it on only on certain games which need it.
I would LOVE to turn off the game notation, but unfortuantly I need information from if for some of the games. Like Frog Finder - I need to know where missed shots were fired. I had turned off game notation and found I made the same missed shot 3 times in a row. Other games like Ice Aged Chess so you know when the ice age is going to happen, and a few other games also need the game notation on to play the games.
Comment (1)
Would it be possible to have Game Notation as a Mouse over.
Maybe in a transparent box of some sort that would pop up if you hover over a certain icon or title. A bit like hovering over your games to be played on the Main page
Maybe in a transparent box of some sort that would pop up if you hover over a certain icon or title. A bit like hovering over your games to be played on the Main page
Comments (3)
I am not a programmer so I am not sure if this is an option. Can you make it a fixed width at a certain distance and smaller; but becomes a flexible width if you extend your browser beyond that 'certain distance'?
That would be ideal for the user in my opinion.
That would be ideal for the user in my opinion.
Comment (1)
Map of visitors
Quicksearch
Sorted archive
Choose language
Wikipedia Finder
Kategorie
Sdílení weblogu
Blog Administration
Popular Entries
Comments
about Recent changes of BrainKing features
Mon, 18.04.2011 16:15
I understand the ins and outs of what you are trying to achi eve
Its funny, that t
he ones i use all the ti [...]Comments (3)
Mon, 18.04.2011 16:15
I understand the ins and outs of what you are trying to achi eve
Its funny, that t
he ones i use all the ti [...]Comments (3) about Recent changes of BrainKing features
Sun, 17.04.2011 19:38
True, true. I will add it to t he list. Thank you.Comment (1)
Sun, 17.04.2011 19:38
True, true. I will add it to t he list. Thank you.Comment (1)
about Recent changes of BrainKing features
Sun, 17.04.2011 18:45
Actually, for me, Move and Sta y Here, seems to take me to th e Next Game. Not the main page , as you say above. S [...]Comment (1)
Sun, 17.04.2011 18:45
Actually, for me, Move and Sta y Here, seems to take me to th e Next Game. Not the main page , as you say above. S [...]Comment (1)
about BrainKing and IPv6
Wed, 25.08.2010 08:46
I didn't test RSS feeds yet, s o it's possible there is some glitch I am not aware of yet. By the way, 76 BrainKin [...]Comment (1)
Wed, 25.08.2010 08:46
I didn't test RSS feeds yet, s o it's possible there is some glitch I am not aware of yet. By the way, 76 BrainKin [...]Comment (1)
about BrainKing and IPv6
Tue, 24.08.2010 18:50
Great news, but just to note, the RSS feed for the game list currently does not work corre ctly when using the IPv6 [...]Comments ()
Tue, 24.08.2010 18:50
Great news, but just to note, the RSS feed for the game list currently does not work corre ctly when using the IPv6 [...]Comments ()
about A hidden login feature
Sun, 21.03.2010 22:18
If your settings don't delete "form and search history", the n you can click in the name bo x when it is empty and i [...]Comments ()
Sun, 21.03.2010 22:18
If your settings don't delete "form and search history", the n you can click in the name bo x when it is empty and i [...]Comments ()
about A hidden login feature
Sat, 20.03.2010 13:04
ah, darn...the only thing i'd want to change my username to is one character longer than t he username field will a [...]Comments ()
Sat, 20.03.2010 13:04
ah, darn...the only thing i'd want to change my username to is one character longer than t he username field will a [...]Comments ()
about A hidden login feature
Sat, 20.03.2010 13:02
sounds great to me...even thou gh i've never changed my usern ame in all the years i've been on brainking. maybe i w [...]Comments ()
Sat, 20.03.2010 13:02
sounds great to me...even thou gh i've never changed my usern ame in all the years i've been on brainking. maybe i w [...]Comments ()
about A hidden login feature
Sat, 20.03.2010 12:01
even if do not change name eve ry 2 weeks you can forget your email... I do not like to muc h opponents name changin [...]Comments ()
Sat, 20.03.2010 12:01
even if do not change name eve ry 2 weeks you can forget your email... I do not like to muc h opponents name changin [...]Comments ()
about A hidden login feature
Sat, 20.03.2010 02:31
will that stop the fellowships being deleted?Comments ()
Sat, 20.03.2010 02:31
will that stop the fellowships being deleted?Comments ()
about Easter and logo
Wed, 17.03.2010 17:08
Care to enter a bet as to how many submissions you'll get if you offer as a prize 6 months rook level?Comments ()
Wed, 17.03.2010 17:08
Care to enter a bet as to how many submissions you'll get if you offer as a prize 6 months rook level?Comments ()
about Easter and logo
Mon, 15.03.2010 21:32
I was thinking of that and I e ven started a logo contest on Facebook (when our page was no t infected by spammers). [...]Comment (1)
Mon, 15.03.2010 21:32
I was thinking of that and I e ven started a logo contest on Facebook (when our page was no t infected by spammers). [...]Comment (1)
about Easter and logo
Mon, 15.03.2010 21:24
BrainKing logo: why not delega te this? Make it a competition . With all those members, payi ng or not, there's surel [...]Comments ()
Mon, 15.03.2010 21:24
BrainKing logo: why not delega te this? Make it a competition . With all those members, payi ng or not, there's surel [...]Comments ()
about Simplicity is the key (part 3)
Wed, 30.12.2009 00:59
hmm... seems like the simpler solution (no weekends at all) does not mean the simplest tra nsition between the two [...]Comments ()
Wed, 30.12.2009 00:59
hmm... seems like the simpler solution (no weekends at all) does not mean the simplest tra nsition between the two [...]Comments ()
about Simplicity is the key (part 3)
Wed, 30.12.2009 00:56
The only point I see in using weekend days is when you play 1 or 2 day games but only get online 5 days a week (an [...]Comments ()
Wed, 30.12.2009 00:56
The only point I see in using weekend days is when you play 1 or 2 day games but only get online 5 days a week (an [...]Comments ()