Optimize Web Pages for 1024x768! Wahoo!

Good news from Jakob Nielsen (via Web4Lib). In Alertbox July 31, 2006, Nielsen (Web Usability Expert and author of Useit.com) suggests Web designers should "Optimize Web pages for 1024x768, but use a liquid layout that stretches well for any resolution, from 800x600 to 1280x1024."

Nielsen states that 60% of all monitors are set at 1024x768 and only 17% are now set at 800x600. I'm thinking that after this last round of Gates Foundation Public Access Computer Hardware Upgrade Grants even library monitors might be set at 1024x768. I hope so.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm relieved because it means I can stop having those arguments with my Web designers about how important it is to design for 800x600 which is, I agree, dang ugly on a finer resolution monitor. Hoooo haaa!