Question about web safe colors

[cinnamongirl]

I am getting ready to design a site for a university academic department. I've been maintaining the old site but this is my first attempt at a design of my own. Of course, the colors I want to use are not on the 256 web safe color palette. In light of the fact that most users who will be accessing this new site will have current computer systems do you think it is safe to use these colors? I recently read that the 256 color palette was designed at a time when most users had 256 color (8 bit) computer systems, which is not the case any more. What advice would you offer?

Thanks!

[korkus2000]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld cinnamongirl

I really don't use the web safe pallete anymore for general audiences. If I know a page might be for beginning or older web surfers then I do use the pallete. I think it depends on your audience. If you think mostly students will use the site then I would proceed in the colors you want.

You may want to check out some of our threads on usability. Color has meaning on the web and should be chosen wisely for links and other web aspects.
[webmasterworld.com...]

[cinnamongirl]

Thanks for the welcome and the link. I read the Jakob Neilson article, and got very caught up in the debate that followed. In the process I learned a great deal about usability issues.:)

[deejay]

Hi Cinnamongirl

I don't stick to the websafe palette either.. Don't think it's that much of a concern today.

Another fabulous thread re color selection was this one:

[webmasterworld.com...]

in relation to color blindness. Has links to some excellent tools to see your colors as someone with a vision defect would.

Was pleased to see my sites passed well... and even more pleased to see some of my competitors sites looking... well.... looking like a big page of nothing, really. :)

[cinnamongirl]

Thanks deejay. Very interesting site. I checked the site I maintain and it looked pretty good. I'll have to make sure I do the same with my new colorscheme.