Fixed Width Site Alignment

To the left or to center it

[chris_f]

Hi all,

I'm working on a <shudder>fixed width</shudder> site. I have looked across the web and if my resolution is larger than the site I prefer it to be left justified. However, some other sites do look good centered. Which do you prefer?

Note: Please no comments on making it fluid. I've just finished that arguement (and lost :().

atob

[chris_f]

All quiet :wimper:

[MonkeeSage]

Depends on the content, but most often I prefer centered, especially if there is a large discrepancy between the site layout size and my browser window size...it looks really odd, IMO, if there is near as much blank space to the right of the content as there is content...kind of like 'where'd the other half of the page go?' ;)

Jordan

[PCInk]

All quiet: (everyone thinking fluid!)

Seriously, I prefer them centered on a large screen. Sometimes those left aligned sites can take up half the page, half the left page!

Some of the best I have seen use an image or colour on the background. Then they center the site content, on a white background. Easy to read and white space is not so noticed as it gets the background. Be careful what you use on the background though, dark or pale both work well but bright colours or strong patterns are horrendous on the eye. Oh, and don't use those grey lines horizontally across the page - static they look great; scroll and they make me think I've been drinking too much (again).

[chris_f]

Thanks Guys,

PCInk, you have some great suggestions there. Off to try some backgrounds.

atob