When you write for the Internet, you are painting on an unknown canvas because your reader controls many aspects of page appearance. In most cases, appearance is an important part of your message. Here's how you can be sure the page that is delivered is the one you planned to send.

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What Readers Control

Readers control almost every aspect of displayed information.

• They can set the screen resolution from a low of 640x480 pixels to a high of 1028x764.
• The can choose the default display font.
• They can choose the default text and background colors and the default colors of displayed and visited links.
• And, they can turn graphics off to improve page load time.

Even under these conditions, you can design a document that gets your visual message across. You simply need to override readers' choices when you can and anticipate them when you can't.

"When you write for the Internet, you are painting on an unknown canvas because your reader controls many aspects of page appearance."

"To design a document that gets your visual message across, you need to override readers' choices when you can and anticipate them when you can't."

Take Control of Document Appearance

When readers specify appearance items in their browsers, they are selecting default settings—settings the browser will use when the Web page author hasn't specified an alternative.

To override these choices, you need to select the alternative. That means you must:

• identify the fonts that will be used both for headings and body text
• select the page background color
• select the color that will be used for visited and unvisited links.

When you select these items as part of the authoring process, defaults settings will not be used. The reader will see the fonts and colors that you have chosen.

Specify Fonts that the Reader is Likely to Have

You may have hundreds of fonts on your computer but, unless your reader also has the font you select, something else will be shown when your page is displayed on his or her computer.

To be safe and increase the chances that your reader will have a font, it's best to specify a font family (a group of similar fonts) rather than a specific font. Two typical font families are:

Arial, Helvetica, Sans-Serif

Times New Roman, Times, Serif

In addition, most Web authoring packages will let you define your own font families. You can either apply the font to each text item or use styles to apply your selections to the HTML tags.

Use Print as Your Guide for Font Size

Since you can't control your reader's screen resolution, use print as your guide for determining font size. Most print documents use 10- or 12-point type, and the most common browser default is 12-point type. Set your text to one of those sizes and it will be readable by most Internet users.

The size of the type you choose will also be dictated by your document's background color. White supports the smallest text. Dark-colored backgrounds require larger type for text to be readable. And, even 12-point type can be illegible on a graphic or textured background. Sample

TIP: Test your font size in your browser. Sometimes what looks fine in your development package will be larger or smaller once you get it online.

You Can Be Bold With Color, But Be Careful

There are 216 browser-safe colors and, once you select one, your reader will see it. As a general rule, if you want your reader to actually read your message, stick to color combinations that are easy on the eyes. Use intense colors and color combinations sparingly with text.

Dealing with Graphics

There's not much you can do when your reader turns off the graphics display, so pay attention to what you do with graphics.

If you use graphics for headings, repeat them in alternative text so they will readable when graphics are turned off. Also, use alternative text for any graphics that are important in getting your point across.

Quick Reference Guide

You don't have to write on an unknown canvas. By specifying settings instead of using defaults you will be sure the image you send is the one your reader gets.