Slashdot Mirror
Today's Average Screen Resolution?
ShadowDawn asks: "I'm looking to develop a website for average computer illiterate users and I'm just curious what the average users screen resolution is, now a days? I know 800x600 used to be the main size to develop for, but last I had seen 1024x768 was taking over. I was just wondering if anyone out there ran a 'normal' site that 'normal' people visit and would have some insight."
You're using the wrong definition of literacy. Houghton-Mifflin definitions of literate:
1. Able to read and write.
2. Knowledgeable or educated in a particular field or fields.
The use of the word literacy in the context of this Slashdot question implies proficiency, as would be defined by #2. By your use of the word literate, I would be literate in French because I can read a few words of it printed on signs. This is quite obviously not the case. The act of reading alone does not make one literate.
It is proficiency not mere ability that is important in this case and therefore, the poster is correct in his use of the phrase.
Anyone who uses a web browser is, by definition, knowledgeable in the use of web browsers. So, if you can use a web browser, you're literate in the use of web browsers. Similarly, if you can read and understand books in french, you're literate in french. I'm not sure if I understand your example, since you admit you can't read books in french, and therefore you're not literate in french. I can't see the contradiction there.
I have no problem with the original poster writing a web site to target web illiterate people. In fact, it sounds like it's about the only thing he's qualified to do.