Detect-and-route with JavaScript
By Molly E. Holzschlag2005-03-31
Serving user needs
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Developers can rely on a variety of techniques to meet the needs of all anticipated users. The no-pain and no-gain approach: design to the lowest common-denominator user, restricting or leaving out technology that might cause problems for some visitors. Some sites list on the entry page which browsers and technologies are required to fully appreciate the Web site -- with links so visitors can download any needed accoutrements.
Both those methods work, but they lack sophistication. When you can instead use JavaScript to detect what visitors need and route them to corresponding pages, why sell your users or your site short? Detect-and-route scripts can determine every visitor's browser and specs and direct the visitor to the set of pages that's most appropriate. Of course, the parallel sets of pages for different user levels means more planning and more work for the developer (namely you), but it also means a better user experience. Afterall, the developer's axiom is give them a good time on your Web site and they'll come back again.
Tutorial Pages:
» Keep users happy by using savvy scripts
» Serving user needs
» Planning ahead
» The rock-bottom lowest-common-denominator
» Route for technology, not content
» Finding scripts or rolling your own
» Detecting the details
» Routing by browser type
» Matching pages to display resolution
» Testing your scripts
» Summing up
» Resources
First published by IBM DeveloperWorks
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