Getting gray to be gray in Windows

help with working around weird Windows colors

[pillsbur]

Hi,

Can anyone point me to some information on how, as a web designer, I can use a gray color (something like #dedede) and not have it look light blue on Windows?

Also, Windows displays much darker than Macs -- are there any workarounds to keep in mind so beautiful earth tone color schemes don't look as terrible as Windows makes my newest site look?

I know a lot depends on the "context" that surrounds a particular color, but on a white background I expect gray to be gray.

Any ideas are appreciated!

[DrDoc]

Without being rude -- ensuring that gray truly looks gray and is not too dark -- the only way this can be done is to instruct the visitors to adjust the display settings properly.

On all my Windows based computers, gray looks perfectly gray, and is not any darker/lighter than a Mac. Why? Because I have good monitors and have adjusted my screen color settings.

I'm sorry, but there's nothing you can do to automagically force this to happen. It's all up to the display settings.

[bill]

That sounds like it could be relative to a number of hardware issues. Couldn't monitor types, monitor settings, resolution, color quality and other factors come into play here?

You could stick to the web safe color pallet if you wanted to ensure your presentation is relatively consistent across the spectrum, but that limits your color choices.

I haven't compared Mac/PC displays. Is this an issue? I don't recall hearing about it.

[Lobo]

I'd recommend that also .. use websafe grey #CCCCCC

And if the monitor can't cope with that, find a good hammer a have some fun ;)

[DrDoc]

... provided the computer's owner (i.e. the visitor) let's you in to have fun with that hammer.

[Lobo]

Nope the hammer is for his own monitor .. it's obviously f**ked.. ;)