Web Safe Colours - Have I Missed Something?
Hello all.
I've been spending the last few weeks switching my HTML thought patterns into XHTML/CSS ones (a reason why I haven't been here much), an offshoot of doing this was my discovery of http://www.alistapart.com and http://www.zeldman.com (among others). These are wonderful sites, helping the push toward splitting content and layout whilst being great examples of accessibility to all us mere mortals. I did however discover something startling: None of the sites I was busy worshipping appeared even slightly worried about using web safe colours - I am wondering if I missed a big event or happening which made it ok to stop only using an 8 bit palette?!
Did something wonderous happen whilst I was asleep (it wouldn't suprise me ), or are these sites actually lying about championing the cause of accessibility?
I realise that most graphics cards and monitors can work with millions of colours, but have been led to believe that accessibility is aimed at caring for the minority as well - this has led to immense confusion, and the excitment that I may be able to be unleashed upon the full range of the system palette
Any advice/guidance/opinion will be gratefully recieved...Oh and sorry I haven't been here as much as i should have
a Padded Cell our articles site!
Suzanne posted this at 04:42 — 13th November 2003.
She has: 5,507 posts
Joined: Feb 2000
Glad you're back, lol...
Yes, the web-safe palette has been turfed. Unless you're designing for other agents that don't support full colours, like some pdas, et cetera.
JeevesBond posted this at 04:45 — 13th November 2003.
He has: 3,956 posts
Joined: Jun 2002
Thanks Suzanne...
I do feel like a complete pillock now (I'm sure there are a few people who would confirm that as well
).
So what did I miss, and when?
a Padded Cell our articles site!
Suzanne posted this at 04:49 — 13th November 2003.
She has: 5,507 posts
Joined: Feb 2000
It's been gradual over the last few years. I don't think there was really a pivotal moment where everyone tossed their websafe palette aside. I still use it predominantly, mostly for my own sanity when trying to work quickly. That said, I use rgb() a lot in the CSS.
JeevesBond posted this at 05:03 — 13th November 2003.
He has: 3,956 posts
Joined: Jun 2002
Thanks again Suzanne!
I'm afraid I'm not back fully yet, got some more work to deal with first
I'll pop-in when I can though 
I'm off to attack this palette - like a child in a sweet shop!
Had a feeling it would be more of a gradual change as you said...Probably why I missed it (asleep again), the strange thing is that it never gets mentioned - even the W3C statements about it are completely non-commital, lacking an official stance altogether.
a Padded Cell our articles site!
Want to join the discussion? Create an account or log in if you already have one. Joining is fast, free and painless! We’ll even whisk you back here when you’ve finished.