Unexpected Line Wraps

[OC]

When I look at my website on two virtually identical computers, it looks
fine on one pc, but I'm getting unexpected line wraps on the second.
Computers are WXP SP2, 15" flat screens @ 1024X768, IE V6.0, browser windows
are maximized, IE text size are both "Medium", desktop settings font size
are both "Normal". The website's default font is Verdana 10pt bold, and this
font is installed on both computers. The only computer difference I'm aware
of is ISP's used to access the websites.

This same computer gives me similar unexpected line wraps on several other
websites, but not every website. I've checked the websites on several other
computers and do not get line wraps, so I suspect a problem or settings
difference on the one computer, but I don't know what else to look for. I
also suspect if it's happening on one computer, it's occurring for many
other viewers that I don't know about.

I'd appreciate any thoughts or suggestions. A good example of where the
problem is occurring is the footer section of http://www.ableadership.com.
When viewed on the offending computer, both the menu at the bottom of the
page and the address line (PO Box....) at the bottom of the page are
wrapping into two lines. Thanks for your help.

 

[Steve Easton]

You've used the space bar to position the items which will cause items to shift.
Remove the spaces and replace them with tabs, or place the items in cells in a table.

--
Steve Easton
Microsoft MVP FrontPage
95isalive
This site is best viewed............
........................with a computer

 

[Cheryl D Wise]

Check the dpi setting on the computer (Control Panel | Display, Settings
Tab, Advanced button, General tab) where you are seeing the strange wrapping
behavior. I've seen that when the computer is set to use "large fonts" or
custom fonts. I have large fonts enabled since I run a tablet pc with
1400x1050 on a 12" screen and see this frequently on sites that use pts for
font sizing.

That's one one of the reasons Murray and others advise people not to use pts
for web font sizing.

--
Cheryl D. Wise
MS FrontPage MVP
http://mvp.wiserways.com
http://starttoweb.com
Online instructor led web design training in FrontPage,
Dreamweaver and more!
Next Session June 26th

 

[OC]

Thanks for all the feedback. I did not check DPI settings, but will
definitely do that. I'm confused on the font sizing issue. If I switch to
px, won't that still be susceptible to wrapping? What's the preferred method
for managing font-size? Thanks again.

 

[Cheryl D Wise]

Pixels have problems for people who need larger font sizes to read the page
since they won't resize. There is no perfect solution. Every method of
specifying font sizes can create problems. Realize that you can't have
control over the visitor's computer and live with minor display issues.
FWIW, even with large fonts on my computer at 800x600 I don't see any text
wrap that looks bad.

--
Cheryl D. Wise
MS FrontPage MVP
http://mvp.wiserways.com
http://starttoweb.com
Online instructor led web design training in FrontPage,
Dreamweaver and more!
Next Session June 26th