Hi. I just started to explore Xoops. I am using version 2.0.5.2. My query is, in Windows 98, at 800 x 600 res using the two column layout, everything looks great in Firefox, but in IE 5.5. the forum (and the most active topics block) is cut off at the right edge. It just doesn't quite compress to fit properly.

I tried uploading another two themes, but problem remains.

I 'cloned' the default template(s) and figured out how to edit the templates, but don't really know if this is a theme file, CSS file or template issue.

I know it can be fixed, because a theme from one designer works fine, I just wondered if it was a known issue that I could fix in any theme. Or am I doing something stoopid

1stly, i would recommend to use the current stable version of xoops.. currently 2.0.7.3 as this includes many fixes.

regarding resolution, i haven't seen this problem on mine at 800 x 600. however i have noticed the problem when i was at work.. BUT i have only seen this problem when using a monitor that's smaller than 15" ie using a 14" monitor creates this problem..

to be honest tho, i wouldn't recommend designing any website using a 14" monitor as it just isn't big enough these days.. and i definitely wouldn't recommend using 3 columns at 800x600 resolution.. but i'd say the vast majority of users will have a system capable of viewing larger, so i'd configure your site to support the vast majority of users instead..

incidentally, i forgot to mention, at home i use a 17" monitor @ 1024x768 resolution. changing to 800x600 resolution didn't produce this problem.

@work the computer i was using had only a 14" monitor and set at 800x768 produced the problem u are speaking of, with a 15" monitor the problem disappeared..

i don't know if this bares any relevance.. but i definitely really wouldn't want to design my site to suit users with 14" monitors as it would create a hell of a lot more work and would limit you as to how u design ur site, it's a matter of weighing up the pro's and cons, & personally i optimize my sites for 1024x768 displays as that seems to be the main screen size for the majority these days..

even if ur on a budget a 17" monitor is well worth the added expense, and not just for viewable area, but the refresh rates are higher.. mine runs 1024x768 @ 85hz and believe me when ur looking at a monitor all day, u want as fast a refresh (higher) rate as possible to reduce flicker and in turn cause less strain on your eyes..

in the uk u can pick up 17" monitors for as little as £60 if u shop around.. a 2nd hand 1 should set u back around £30 - £40. i know really u probably thinking y should i buy a bigger monitor, i shouldn't have to, but it's like all technology really,sometimes the way things move means you need to keep up somewhere along the lines.

Thanks m0nty. Your comment about the monitor size is interesting as I do test sites for Win IE 5.5 on an old laptop that has a 14 inch screen. I am writing this on a Mac with a 15" monitor and everything is fine, in IE and Netscape. Need to do some more research.

I do still design sites for 800 x 600 and try to make them fluid enough to look good at 1024 x 768. A lot of notebook users use the lower res, unless they have very good eye-sight. I agree with you that 1024 x 768 is better for 3-column, although the Xoops.org 3-col site looks o.k at 800 x 600.

Ironically, as monitor resolution has increased, many site designers now find themselves having to write CSS to shrink their sites back down to 640 x 480 for PDA browsers or to fit 150 pixel wide cellphone displays. There's no end to it!