Most Popular Browser, Screen Size

Published: 30 Sep 2008 In: Website Design

Two of the biggest issues that are a concern to every web developer is how the web site will look in various web browsers and what screen size should be used for the basis of the page designs. So we’re highlighting 2 online web developer tools that make a great addition to every developers arsenal of tools.

Browser Display Statistics

W3 Schools offers a very comprehensive set of statistics on browser usage and screen resolutions used most often by Internet users. They also break down the Browser Information into a full set of Browser Statistics that give a snapshot view of which browsers are currently the most popular along with a history that shows how things are rapidly changing in the browser world.

There is also an up to date, and historical view of Browser Screen resolutions used. This is very interesting view as it plainly shows how the 640×480 display resolution has disappeared over the last few years and the 1024×768 is rapidly becoming the lowest resolution, with 800×600 making up only 8% of visitors using this screen resolution as of January 2008.

This is a very useful tool to use when planning your web pages based upon the screen resolution of your visitors.

Testing in Different Browsers

One of the most powerful, free tools we have found is Browser Shots. The tool allows you to test how your web pages will be rendered in up to 76 different browser versions across 4 different Operating System platforms. You can also select options to test various screen sizes, color depth, JavaScript options and versions, Java options, and Flash options and versions.

How this works is, when you submit your web address, it is added to the systems job queue. Approximately 112 distributed computers (screenshot factories) then open the website in the various browsers. These computers then generate screen shots of each rendering and upload them to a central server for your review.

Feedback

Did you find this post useful? Please leave us a comment and tell us if you thought this was useful, terrible, or anything else you would like to tell us.

Related posts:

1. Browser Statistics for 2008
2. Resetting the Browser with CSS
3. CSS Frameworks: First Looks
4. Web Services and Tools for Website Designers
5. Why Validate Your Website – Updated

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.