client: there is a major problem on my website.
designer: i'm looking at your site now, what am i looking for?
client: you don't see it?
designer: no, i do not. please let me know what the problem is and what browser you are viewing your site?
client: i'm in firefox, i think, and the entire right column of my site has disappeared.
designer: which version of firefox? i'm currently viewing in ie8 and ff3 and everything appears to be correct.
client: i'm sure that i am on the latest.
designer: let's double check that. just for kicks, can you check what version and let me know.
client: it's version explorer.
designer: <sigh>
I've had this conversation hundreds of times in the past few years. And believe it or not, a lot of the problems you may see on your website or other websites has a lot to do with the the configuration of your browser. What you are seeing is not exactly what others are seeing, including your web developers, the guy who sits next to you at the office or even visitors to your site.
As a web designer, it is our responsibility to do our due dilligence in making sure the most popular configurations are accounted for in terms of design, layout and site function. However that may not take into account every configuration - YES there are still people on IE 6 and NO I can not guess the capabilities of a browser not yet released.
And YES, I will be the first to admit, sometimes we need a client to review a site and help us catch every issue. That's specifically why we have 1 to 2 rounds of beta review pre-launch.
So moral of the story, don't assume what you are seeing is what everyone is seeing. And to more easily get to the root of an issue, understand the configuration of your web browser when the developer asks what version of Firefox are you on or are your cookies enabled or what is your screen resolution.
PSSSSS.... I'll even give you a helpful hint to sound super smart, when the designer or developer asks the above questions.... go to this address:
http://supportdetails.com/
This site will give you a quick review of your browser configuration and even allow you to expert a CSV or PDF of the information to send to the designer. Give it a shot and check your settings now >
Posted on
Sunday, February 21, 2010
by Thomas Frank