Re: Low end users

Reading between the lines, I think you are very right to design for 
fairly primitive users. Incorporate fancier features when they add 
something; and know how many users you are alienating.

To answer the question you actually asked: there a -few- users of the 
most primitive setups imaginable, so it's not a question of what's 
minimal, rather where you want to cut it off. According to Jared 
Spool of user interface Engineering (uie.com), Yahoo and EBay test on 
Netscape 2.x browsers. Amazon tests on Netscape 1.x and apparently 
has just two systems in house that will run their primitive test 
browser. He likes to show a list of the Mediametrix top 10 and 
suggests designers look at the technology used for them. Largely 
caveman stuff. Yahoo is no beauty queen but she -is- the queen!

Beyond what you mention, don't forget WebTV, various minimal 
browsers, and perhaps even handheld units. Remember the blind and 
people who run with graphics turned off. And the many people who 
deliberately eschew Java, Javascript, and Flash.

There are sites that list how many people are using what.

I make my designers design for NN3 and MIE3 and (with some compromises) WebTV.

Modem speeds. Sadly, designers use DSL and T1 while users are using 
modems. 56K modems usually run around 35K. International and rural 
users often have slow connections. Remember road warriors using a 
laptop and a hotel room phone. So we assume 28.8. Our pages are under 
20K where possible, almost never above 40K total. Sometimes my 
designers grumble but my site's users send love letters.

I strive to keep width below 550 pixels but cheat it to 600 or 650 on 
occasion, keeping in mind that the things to the right might not be 
seen or might print on separate pages.

Graphics under 5K are fine -- but I know of a page with 75 graphics 
under 2K. Not good. I compress graphics religiously -- trick is to 
reduce GIF colors as much as possible, by trial and error, as that is 
a primary contributor to fat graphics.

We use PDF. We don't use Flash, Java. We use Javascript as lightly as 
possible. We hand-tweak the HTML on our most often visited pages. We 
don't use frames.

Moe

__________________________________________________________________________
Subject: Low end users
Author: Adrian Harris
Date: 5/11/00 12:51 PM +0100

>Hi,
>
>not sure if anyone can help with this but advice or leads welcome.
>
>What is the lower end of the range of browsers, screen colors, modem
>speeds (I s'pose combined with phone line speeds?) that it is sensible to
>design for if you want to be as inclusive as possible of Developing world
>Non-Governmental Organisations,  many of whom obviously do not have the
>latest gear?
>
>I'd guess NN2, 640 x 480, web safe colors, and graphics under 5 k, but
>would be interested in any stats or guidance.
>
>
>Best wishes,
>Adrian Harris.
>
>http://www.gn.apc.org/design

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