Computer/Dreamweaver 'experts': two questions for you...

[kathryn]

...and probably quite a few more to come, LOL! (I'm slowly but surely getting the knowledge and skills to set up my web page, and always have questions about little, and not-so-lttle, things).


Questions:
1) I know a pixel is a unit of measure, but is it fixed (ie: 100 pixels always equals so many inches...and if so, how many?) or variable (and if so, what is the variation based on, screen size?).

2) I want to put a texture/color as the background to many if not all of my pages (I'm looking for a nice light gray or light blue-grey, with medium-blue and grey-blue 'splotches,' like a sponging effect) but I want the pages to be easily printable for students and teachers. Is there a way I can make sure that the textured/colored background doesn't print (ie: stays white), or does this happen automatically?

TIA

 

[kathryn]

Anybody?:-(

 

[materialsgirl]

Hi Kathryn, I *think* I can answer your questions...

1) Pixels per inch (ppi) depends on your monitor. Some monitors have bigger pixels, and therefore, cannot fit as many pixels per inch, as other monitors. Here's a handy references so you can see how many ppi your monitor has:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixels_per_inch

When designing a webpage, it is traditionally considered appropriate to design for the lowest-resolution monitors, which used to be something ridiculous like 800x600 pixels. I don't think it's necessary to design for such a low resolution nowadays. A safe resolution to design for is 1024x768 pixels. This means, you will want your website to be no wider than 1024 pixels, so that people won't have to scroll horizontally when they view your website, regardless of their monitor. Does that make sense?

2) Backgrounds don't typically print when you print out a web site. You should be okay. Just make sure, to make the most printer-friendly website, that you use BLACK text.

If you need any more help with this, let me know - I'd be happy to assist. It's been a little while since I've used Dreamweaver, but I think I still remember some of my old tricks. I was pretty good with Fireworks and Flash, too, if you're interested in trying some fancy stuff.

 

[kathryn]

Thanks, Emily!
I knew someone could come to my rescue.

 

[dlavie]

I don't use Dreamweaver myself, I usually hand code using an editor.

The index page should always be minimal resolution and size. People need to know what they're getting into before they'll tolerate the download time, otherwise they'll bail before everything gets there.

Remember most of the world is still on dial up.