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Re: define "liquid design"

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From: Terence de Giere
Date: May 6, 2005 12:17PM

One reason for liquid design is that it allows the user to set the width of the window for a line length that is optimum or most comfortable for reading, which can vary from user to user, especially if they need to change font size. Large screens's usability advantage with a graphical user interface is multiple windows can be open and seen without 'window thrashing' - having to change windows in the interface so see content hidden by other windows.

There is evidence that users of larger screens do not usually have the windows maximized. It is often argued that line length with liquid designs is too long with large screens, but with exceptions like large spreadsheets and large graphics, it is not necessary to have windows maximized; that's the reason for a large screen, to have many windows open and all visible. On the other hand, visual impairment may require a large screen with a window at full width and large fonts for readability, and a liquid design is ideal for this, and with many setups no special additional technology is required except a large screen.

I have, however, encountered non-disabled users that don't seem to know they can resize a window, and complain that line length in a liquid design is too long. So the question is: do we shortchange disabled access for accommodating users that don't know how to benefit from the equipment they have?

Terence de Giere