Web browsers, or clients, are available for most computer platforms. There are browsers both for systems with graphical user interfaces and for text-based systems. You cannot predict which type of system or browser a viewer may be using. These are variables to consider when you design your Web site.
Graphical browsers
Graphical browsers, such as Netscape and Mosaic, can be used on either
- Ethernet-connected computers
- Computers that use an Internet protocol like SLIP or PPP with a high-speed modem
Ethernet-connected computers are directly connected to the Internet. Computers running SLIP or PPP over modem lines simulate direct Internet connections.
As a Web publisher, you should be aware that graphics you design for your Web pages will load slower on computers that are not directly connected to the Internet. Therefore, the size, resolution, and number of graphics on your pages will affect the speed with which users of graphical browsers can view your information.
For tips on optimizing graphics for the Web, see the Visual elements: Graphics section of this guide.
Text-based browsers
Text-based browsers, like Lynx, do not support graphics. People use text-based browsers for a number of reasons--they may have older machines or machines with asynchronous connections, or they may be using modems and don't want to wait for graphics to download to their machines. If you present any critical information in graphical form, an alternate text-based presentation will be necessary.
Supported browser at Penn
At Penn, the supported browser is Netscape, the popular graphical browser developed by Netscape Communications Corporation. Netscape Communications also developed additions to the HTML language called extensions. Extensions are tags that allow extended functionality such as centering, tables, backgrounds, and font size manipulation. At present however, some of these extensions are not supported by other browsers, and using them in your Web site means that your presentation will look different when viewed on non-Netscape browsers.
The best method to ensure presentation integrity when developing your Web site is to test your pages on several graphical and text-based browsers.
