additions… #41
…web design…
achieving cross-browser support…
Many designers are content with designing for one browser, and maybe test in one or two others just to make sure it works. Others are literally fighting to get everything perfect down to the last pixel in a series of browsers they think they should support, and then ignore the rest.
I generally don't care much about differences between browsers, as long as it looks ok in each one. I also prefer to have as many browsers as possible at hand, so I can test how my designs work and not just how they look.
The ability to work directly on a browser/-version is of course linked directly to which Operating Systems it is built for. Only a limited number of browsers cover more than one OS – although the number is growing, and even those that do, have minor OS-dependent quirks. Having more than one OS available is therefore a must if one wants to cover a wide range of browsers.
Many ways to solve the “multiple OS” requirement, as one can run virtual machines/OSes on almost any physical machine that has enough resources to run them. I prefer to have full-blown versions of major operating systems on separate machines, since such an uncompromising solution gives me the most accurate testing ground. Having many separate machines also increases overall speed and stability, and data-storage capacity.
Operating Systems and hardware…
Below are the Operating Systems and hardware I work and test in browsers on at the moment (november 2008). This set-up can keep a lot of browsers and design-related software running without running out of steam or screen-space.
| Operating System | integration | connection, use | hardware | screen(s), resolution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| win2K-pro | Synergy | LAN, permanent |
Opteron dual CPU/HD (old) |
3×17in lcd, 3840×1024 (Parhelia) |
| win XP | Synergy | LAN/WLAN, permanent |
Acer Aspire L5100 | 17in lcd, 1280×1024 |
| win Vista | Synergy | LAN/WLAN, permanent |
Acer Aspire L5100 | 17in lcd, 1280×1024 |
| Ubuntu (8.04) | Synergy | LAN/WLAN, permanent |
Acer Aspire L5100 | 17in lcd, 1280×1024 |
| Mac OS-X (10.4.8) | LAN, permanent |
iMac (old) |
1440×900 | |
| win XP | LAN/WLAN, occasional |
Targa Visionary (old) |
1024×768 | |
| win 95 | LAN, occasional |
REC (very old) |
17in crt, 1280×1024 |
There is of course a lot more to it than the table and image shows, but the main, and essential, parts
this web designer / web developer / web carpenter uses daily are included.
The most central, and essential, piece of hardware is of course the coffee cup, which content fuels imagination
and creativity.
workstation…
The Synergy-integrated workstation (4 machines on 6 screens, sharing 1 keyboard and mouse) lets me test designs in nearly all browsers on nearly all screen-sizes/resolutions at once while designing. This helps immensely on achieving wide-range browser-support. That it also helps on multitasking beyond web design, is of course a pluss.
I'm particularly happy with the “one keyboard and mouse” part, as I dislike being distracted by having to move around while trying to focus on design-work or whatever else I'm doing here. I may add a tablet when I get around to it, as sketching, drawing and handwriting is obviously best done with a pen.
Given the generally low prices on hardware these days, it is cheaper and easier to add or replace hardware and let such a workstation grow with demands, than to try to get more out of or into old hardware, or replace it altogether when it can't deliver. The irritation inadequate hardware causes, and the time it takes to install and get used to entirely new one, favor step-by-step upgrades.
Of course, not everything may be up to date and speed all the time with such an approach, but I couldn't care less about how old and/or outdated some parts are as long as they all work well together and allow me to get the job done.
behind walls…
With numerous browsers and other software used for testing across several Operating Systems, the entire system can become vulnerable for various forms of attacks and malware. To protect against that I do not only use virus protection software and firewalls, but also what one may call “physical walls.”
Disconnected machines can't do much harm on other machines, and malware and viperware can't “call home” when there's no physical connection to call across. Had to invent my own solutions to make this work without negative sideeffects locally, but it's immune to outside interference which is the main thing.
I don't suffer from security-paranoia, but I see no point in letting my guard down. Thus, I apply as much common sense and care regarding security-issues as active work on and across the internet allows for, and am quite happy with the result so far.
sincerely 
Hageland 26.nov.2008
04.dec.2008
25.dec.2008
last rev: 25.dec.2008
additions…
