After undergoing a pretty major upgrade at AdminFusion just recently, I debated with myself whether to go with fixed or fluid width...I have used fluid in the past for the most part, as it seems ideal for those with large resolutions, but the ease of design for fixed was very appealing. Not only that, but with fluid there is always that concern that you really do not know for sure what your site looks on every visitor's computer...with fixed, you do know this.

That said, I prefer fluid over fixed - but only a very slight edge...I could go either way.

Why do you go with one over the other?

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My members prefer fluid so that's what I'm doing for our redesign (although it will be fluid at about 90% width). I'm actually playing with a resolution-dependent style switcher which could be really cool (or really annoying...).

It is harder to design, but what it *looks* like isn't the most important thing in forum design. How it works for the user is most important, and that's what you need to pay attention to. If they want to maximize their window at 1282 resolution or whatever it is then that's their choice!

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Megan
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Hmmm...but when taking forum for example, whether fixed or fluid, any design will typically provide the same "features"...When designing forums, I'd have to say that what they look like is very important when choosing between fixed or fluid. Whether you have a set px or a set width %, odds are, you are going to include the same features...that's why I would say the more important factor here is which one looks best. But then again, you could agree with me - I just wasn't sure where you were going with "how it works for the user"

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fluid i guess it doesnt really matter to me

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Will Stumpf - TalkNikon
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See, I think it's which one works best for the user. If they like their screen width big, why not let them see the site that way?

I think that fluid makes a lot more sense for forums in general. You're puttting a lot of information on the screen and asking users to come back and keep interacting your site every day. Best to let them see the site the way they want to see it, rather than enforcing your appearance-based preferences on them. If that means they have their browser maximized at a really huge resolution that stretches your design all out of proportion then so be it. That's their preference.

I'm not really sure what you mean by including features here

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Megan
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Oh, I agree with you 100%, I was just pointing out the fact that it is in fact a design issue - not necessarily a features issue. You just supported my point by saying that users should be able to see the forums the way they would like to...It's not as if a fixed width takes features away from your members, but it does change the look and feel of your forums.

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I prefer fixed. Its kind of depressing seeing threads that are streched out so they're really only a few lines. Also, fixed makes it easier (from a designers perspective) to skin the forums.