The biggest problem I have with responsive sites is that it does not provide a choice to the user.
I guess most people like to see the same site presented differently to them on different devices, but I do not. I like it that I can click that “classic” link at the bottom on Google’s page on my phone.
In fact this whole discussion about responsive design takes me back a few years when it was advocated to procide diffent stylesheets for different display types like tv-screens, pages (printing) and screenreaders. Of which only printing has taken a foothold it seems.
As a user I want to keep at least be given control over this. If I like the whole website to just load on my phone instead of a fluid, smaller version than that should be possible.
As has been mentioned by others, why isn’t bandwidth on the forefront of responsive web design? It defines whether I add extra animations, images, and flares, or strip away the extra, and stick primarily to CSS styling alone.
I’m getting the impression it’s because there isn’t a good way to test bandwidth, is that right? How hard would it be to develop a good way?
User downloads CSS file, with images, time measurement taken, ajax request sent while other info continues to download. Granted, you’d only have a clear bandwidth picture after half the page is loaded, but that’s when the javascript is loaded anyway. Not to mention a lot of media is loaded “below the fold,” in which bandwidth would determine amount/quality.
Ok, so I don’t really know what I’m talking about, but given that everything else IS possible, and bandwidth can be measured with other analytics and methods, I don’t see why someone isn’t tackling this issue.
Hm, now I can’t go back and editing my comment to show the fool of myself. However, I still think that there are applications that do need to be talked about. The below stack overflow discussion touches on it, and mentions, and I agree, it’s applicability to video sites. What about other features? Large javascript applications? I guess I feel like rather than a blank topic that gets a sprinkling of conversation inspired by new developers, it needs to be addressed definitively.
Ex. Here’s how it’s done, here’s why it’s rarely practical, here’s when it its practical, and this is when and how it’s best implemented. That kind of a thing.
You can find my thoughts about applying responsive web design on forms in an article I wrote: http://www.formable.net/thoughts-about-responsive-web-form-design
Navigation and ease of use are very important in designing a website. Thanks for effort you have put forth on the subject! – David = A Work Of Art, Inc. Fort Lauderdale, FL
I think responsive web design it’s great but what about performance ?
Usually responsive tends to hide elements instead of use only necessary things…and we know that mobile devices and connections are slower than Laptop or Pc ones.
Which is the best approach to solve this issue ?
I have read the article and your book Ethan, but I cannot figure it out how I can position fixed, relative or absolut a div with Responsive Web Design.
I’ve have been using this blog for excellent infomation for a time now and find that it’s a helpful resource for people trying to find the suitable information. Keep up the good work.
Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info specially the last part :) I care for such information a lot. I was looking for this particular information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.
This kind of technology is great for coping with the many different platforms that people access the internet from these days.
There is an argument of course that designing a separate mobile site is better than building an all encompassing responsive site.
Perhaps we just need to practice more but right now it feels that convincing a client to spend more to get a responsive site (i.e. it takes a lot more work to do) isn’t the right thing to do when a normal site and quick rework for a mobile site (assuming it’s CMS driven it’s quite easy) will fit the bill.
Excellent post! Thanks for sharing. I wrote a post introducing Responsive design to someone new to the topic: Responsive Design — an introduction: http://bit.ly/L05U9a
Look back fellows. Before we’ve got into html5 and css3 to standard things more-less, there was time when major players were trying to push their very own “way of life” to concur the market (my opinion). Now since everyone (aside of MS IEXXX) comes to final conclusion, hardware folks are still jiggling around with their very own “proprietery” ideas. How about to come-up with several standards for their screens? It will be much easier for W3C to came-up with a solution. And then we’ll only compete by human characteristics (which affects any visual expressions, including designing things). But no, freedom of enterprize and unbounded competition is “The Mantra”, right?
So where is the plain logic and functionality?
As an analogy – look at cars or airplanes.
Ethan I agree that one website can now be built to accommodate all platforms if done right. We have a lot of customers ask for a separate mobile website. We tell them that in most cases it is unnecessary and a waste of money. I was surprised by this stat: “Mobile browsing is expected to outpace desktop-based access within three to five years.” but I don’t think we as designers should be intimidated by this.
103 Reader Comments
Back to the ArticleYuvalik
The biggest problem I have with responsive sites is that it does not provide a choice to the user.
I guess most people like to see the same site presented differently to them on different devices, but I do not. I like it that I can click that “classic” link at the bottom on Google’s page on my phone.
In fact this whole discussion about responsive design takes me back a few years when it was advocated to procide diffent stylesheets for different display types like tv-screens, pages (printing) and screenreaders. Of which only printing has taken a foothold it seems.
As a user I want to keep at least be given control over this. If I like the whole website to just load on my phone instead of a fluid, smaller version than that should be possible.
thinkaroundcorners
I believe that due to the simple implementation as a CSS layer this is the most promising mobile technology that I have ever seen.
The simple implementation is the key.
son0fhobs
As has been mentioned by others, why isn’t bandwidth on the forefront of responsive web design? It defines whether I add extra animations, images, and flares, or strip away the extra, and stick primarily to CSS styling alone.
I’m getting the impression it’s because there isn’t a good way to test bandwidth, is that right? How hard would it be to develop a good way?
User downloads CSS file, with images, time measurement taken, ajax request sent while other info continues to download. Granted, you’d only have a clear bandwidth picture after half the page is loaded, but that’s when the javascript is loaded anyway. Not to mention a lot of media is loaded “below the fold,” in which bandwidth would determine amount/quality.
Ok, so I don’t really know what I’m talking about, but given that everything else IS possible, and bandwidth can be measured with other analytics and methods, I don’t see why someone isn’t tackling this issue.
So what am I missing?
son0fhobs
Hm, now I can’t go back and editing my comment to show the fool of myself. However, I still think that there are applications that do need to be talked about. The below stack overflow discussion touches on it, and mentions, and I agree, it’s applicability to video sites. What about other features? Large javascript applications? I guess I feel like rather than a blank topic that gets a sprinkling of conversation inspired by new developers, it needs to be addressed definitively.
Ex. Here’s how it’s done, here’s why it’s rarely practical, here’s when it its practical, and this is when and how it’s best implemented. That kind of a thing.
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3943016/php-speed-test-for-user-connection-speed-without-echo-in-current-page
26buckets
this has been a perfect solution for my app websites both view-able on tablets and mobile devices! Thank you very much for you in-debt article.
glardon
You can find my thoughts about applying responsive web design on forms in an article I wrote: http://www.formable.net/thoughts-about-responsive-web-form-design
WE Design Fort Lauderdale
Navigation and ease of use are very important in designing a website. Thanks for effort you have put forth on the subject! – David = A Work Of Art, Inc. Fort Lauderdale, FL
andreapernici
I think responsive web design it’s great but what about performance ?
Usually responsive tends to hide elements instead of use only necessary things…and we know that mobile devices and connections are slower than Laptop or Pc ones.
Which is the best approach to solve this issue ?
lavak00731
Hi,
I have read the article and your book Ethan, but I cannot figure it out how I can position fixed, relative or absolut a div with Responsive Web Design.
sminfosoft10
I’ve have been using this blog for excellent infomation for a time now and find that it’s a helpful resource for people trying to find the suitable information. Keep up the good work.
“Web Design Company”:http://www.sminfosoft.com/
sminfosoft10
Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info specially the last part :) I care for such information a lot. I was looking for this particular information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.
“Technology News”:http://update-technologynews.blogspot.in/
randyosbourneman
If you wanted to be a responsible web designer, you should be more dedicated to yourself as a web designer.
interactivered
This kind of technology is great for coping with the many different platforms that people access the internet from these days.
There is an argument of course that designing a separate mobile site is better than building an all encompassing responsive site.
Perhaps we just need to practice more but right now it feels that convincing a client to spend more to get a responsive site (i.e. it takes a lot more work to do) isn’t the right thing to do when a normal site and quick rework for a mobile site (assuming it’s CMS driven it’s quite easy) will fit the bill.
jerryboston
I be taught one thing tougher on different blogs every day.
Writing Tips
jerryboston
Really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us.
ernestlv
I just got into RWD and everyone was pointing to this place. Nice! writing! I enjoyed reading it!
edward-jackson
I’m glad I finally got here, found some great sources in this blog.
ZZMike
“… margin-right: 3.317535545023696682%;”
What are all those digits doing there? That last “682” is enough to pin the item down to either the left or right side of a silicon atom!
“3.33%” would be fine, and take fewer bytes
sanjeevsharma
Excellent post! Thanks for sharing. I wrote a post introducing Responsive design to someone new to the topic: Responsive Design — an introduction: http://bit.ly/L05U9a
moonzuk
Look back fellows. Before we’ve got into html5 and css3 to standard things more-less, there was time when major players were trying to push their very own “way of life” to concur the market (my opinion). Now since everyone (aside of MS IEXXX) comes to final conclusion, hardware folks are still jiggling around with their very own “proprietery” ideas. How about to come-up with several standards for their screens? It will be much easier for W3C to came-up with a solution. And then we’ll only compete by human characteristics (which affects any visual expressions, including designing things). But no, freedom of enterprize and unbounded competition is “The Mantra”, right?
So where is the plain logic and functionality?
As an analogy – look at cars or airplanes.
UnknownInkDesign
Just want to say a big thanks, Ethan, for what I think is a much better way to design web sites!
Cheers,
D Morris
Professional Web Design Company
Ethan I agree that one website can now be built to accommodate all platforms if done right. We have a lot of customers ask for a separate mobile website. We tell them that in most cases it is unnecessary and a waste of money. I was surprised by this stat: “Mobile browsing is expected to outpace desktop-based access within three to five years.” but I don’t think we as designers should be intimidated by this.
TexasDavid
We would love to find people who can do this and hire someone. Where do you find these people? :)