Choosing styles that work well on small screens

[foxfirefey]

Hey, folks--lately we've had a couple of requests pop up about a need for styles that work well on small screens. This post will try and give a run down of how to choose a style that works well on a small screen.

First of all, you are going to want to choose a layout with a one column option. Here is a complete list of layouts that support one column arrangements. This is the complete list of layouts supporting one column arrangements, with above-entry navigation. Some good examples include:

ColorSide and Practicality: One column, with all modules below the entries.

Bases, Basic Boxes, Crossroads -- These also work well in one column modes and have above-entry navigation.

EasyRead -- This layout is made for people with specialized reading needs--that's why many of the colors themes are a little garish, since they're meant to help people with certain visual requirements (such as very high or low contrast). But, you can change all of the colors in the Customization Area (http://www.dreamwidth.org/customize/options?group=colors) to your liking, as well as the base font size. Additionally, EasyRead has a section above the entries where different modules can be places (http://www.dreamwidth.org/customize/options?group=modules)


Another common request recently is adding a header image; most styles support header background images in the images section of the customization area

Remember that you can always ask questions to have people assist you with your style in style_system or getting_started.

Comments

[ninetydegrees]

It may be simpler to say that only three styles don't support one-column yet: Brittle, Drifting and Skittlish Dreams.

[foxfirefey]

True! But even some one column layouts don't seem that suited to smaller screens, like Blanket.

[ninetydegrees]

Oh sure I was just referring to your first point seeing as we do try to provide that option for all styles and have nearly succeeded.

[foxfirefey]

We've definitely gone a long way, thanks to you! I think I was just writing it from the point of somebody who doesn't know all of the styles--in my opinion, it's better to list out styles they can use than styles they can't for that case.