Yet browsers are not the only technological variance in web surfing; monitor size and resolution as well as connection speeds have also had quite an impact on a user's experience with a Web site.
Connection speeds were mostly a concern back in the stone age, when most users connected to the internet with that fun baaaaadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa sound. Now, bandwidth concerns are almost nonexistent, unless a user lives in a country where the government has been restricting bandwidth (think Iran).
Monitors have also improved and have increased in size with a "bigger is always better" mentality. This is evident in the growth of the size of the standard Web site. The first standard set for the size of a Web site was 800px wide by 600px high. Almost all Web sites were designed this way.
But ahh monitors; how they have grown! Nowadays, a typical Web site is about 1024 px wide and no one really cares about the height because you can always scroll down and dial up connections are almost non-existent so you can have as much flashy stuff on the website as is tasteful (or not, think Ling's Cars *shudders*).
Will this last? This week I would like you all to seriously think about the size of Web sites. Will they grow, shrink or remain the same as new technologies that can access the Internet are introduced into the market place? Does it matter? How should you, as a designer/developer/manager of a Web site, modify your thought process and resulting designs as technology advances?
I don't envision websites changing size much in terms of the amount of content. Technology advances with modular code and content management systems make it easier for less savvy companies to get their websites started. Many Top-end companies use databases and advanced languages such as ASP.NET to create more dynamic websites.
ReplyDeleteThink of YouTube; the size of their website has not really changed. The amount of content has changed, and the size of the video files due to higher resolutions. However this is organized and managed by the search engine and the databases on the server.
I think as a designer/developer the focus is on these types of areas. Sites with a lot of content or files should definitely use a search engine to allow users to find information faster. Structuring the website that adjusts for dynamic content will also become crucial. Finally keeping in mind that the content may eventually be stored on a database, the website should be designed with the ability to add this interface easily.
I dont think the size of websites will shrink or grow. I believe that websites will simply contain more and more information (under more tabs/links so a search function will be very important) and have a bigger variety of content (such as more high-ended videos) depending on the different companies that develops such websites.
ReplyDeleteAs technology advances I believe a search function that should be made by the developer him/herself instead of using Google Search will be better and all contents should be implemented in such a way that even older people who have never used a computer before can easily navigate around the website.
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ReplyDeleteI think that in the future, the size of webpages will get bigger. As time goes on, monitors will continue to evolve, and become more technologically advanced, and webpages are going to have to adapt like they have in the past. As time goes on, the price of the older monitors will decrease, like all other technology, and larger monitors will be more affordable for all.
ReplyDeleteLike the transition from low bandwidth internet to high bandwidth internet, webpages are going to also have to adapt to fit to larger monitors. Although I think webpages will continue to change, I do not think that from a designer/developer standpoint you will have to worry too much about the transition.
I agree with ChazR, about for designers and developers should focus on having sites with a lot of content/files should consider using a search engine to allow users to find information faster especially for students because we like to get right into the exact information that we are looking for within just a couple of links.
ReplyDeleteI do not think the size of a website will vary too greatly in the next couple of decades. Although moniter sizes may evolve to be "bigger and better," they can only do so until a certain point. Having monitors the size of big screen tvs would almost detract from the personalization and purpose of a monitor. Therefore I don't see the width of an average website expanding much more. The length, however, is a different story. The average size of the length will probably expand a few more hundred pixels, but will probably cap off after that to avoid too much clutter and confusion on the home page. Rather, I think if more and more information is truly necessary we may see the evolution of a third navigation bar. This would allow the space for more information without overwhelming the page visitor.
ReplyDeletei will agree with most of you guys that the size of websites wont shrink or grow. i also believe that websites will contain more info, lots of content with better navigation system. Maybe they will create something like facebook created for iphone where you can choose between regular website or website for iphone. i think its a great idea because you can search and use the content of the website way easier even you are looking on the small screen.
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