Deb Fuller compressed these thoughts into the cyber mist:

>I was taught to always make the design understandable for
>text-based browsers.  I think that is less of an issue now here in the US but
>in other countries it probably is a valid concern.

Hi, Deb -

You have articulated the essence of the web-design dilemma.  Unlike print
design, in which different users all see the same printing-press product,
internet browsers grant users control over many graphic variables.
Browser conflicts over how identical HTML is displayed further exacerbate
the problem.  Uneven support for Dynamic HTML and javascript screw things
up.  Plugins are clumsy.  Throw low bandwidth into the mix, and it's a
designer's nightmare.

If the highest priority is to reconcile all the variables one's site will
meet on the user end, then creativity in design becomes severely limited.
 Web design is a constantly shifting equation between the proportions of
audience accessability and design freedom.

Each designer makes choices, knowlingly or not, between these two factors
-- better to do it knowingly.  In our case, we have recently made the
decision that future design will be for Netscape and Explorer 4.0 and
above, but we still do not present anything requiring plugins.  Our stats
indicate that 98% of our audience are now using those browsers.  We
generally do not worry too much about text-only browsers, user-increased
font size, or any browser/platform combinations that represent under 10%
of our user base.  If we lose them, then that defines the price we are
willing to pay for creative freedom.  If we reach 95% of the audience
with something very close to what we intend, then we feel we've done our
job as well as the current technology allows.  What it would take to
fully accommodate the other 5% is simply beyond our time and budget.

Stephen

     _________________________________________________________________
     S t e p h e n    N o w l i n         Director, Williamson Gallery


     Vice President                       Producer/Creative Director
     Art Center College of Design         www.artcenter.edu
     _________________________________________________________________

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