100% or fixed width?

What is the best to use for a website? Talkfreelance is fixed width but in the next version (probably late summer) i'm thinking about making it 100% width so it adapts to different resolutions etc.

I do like being able to specify the exact width but it doesn't have as much flexibility as 100% can offer. Take for example when you try and insert an image into a post and it's larger than the width of the board, it screws up.

What do you think is better? Are there any real benefits of fixed width?

Well usability wise I think 100% is alot better! My next redesign is going to be 100% it just look more professional imo. Fixed width looks nice though but not to practical with such big resolutions and pc's now.

I think sites with a fixed layout, like this site, are pleasant to the eye. It gives a variation as well.

On the other hand, sites with a lot of content that have a very compacted layout just scare me. MSN would be an example. CNN kind of does the same thing but the way they have their layout setup it’s less offending.

I think in your case Robson, is to implement a fluid 100% layout.

Forums, as you say, need to be able to expand widthwise to enable users to view larger images.

Each website must be designed according to needs.

Just set it from say 780px to 80%... I try to do all my sites like that now, It shows a background but is nearly fluid to..

keep it fixed but install a hack for when the images are too large, it creates a button/link which when you hover over, the image is shown. there is a hack like this used on designworldwide.com though i think dimitry (the original) owner made it himself.

A fluid layout would be nice. But 100% would be too big imo. There needs to be some space at the side of the site or it will look a bit too crowded.

~ Joe

I personally like that some websites are restricted.. It makes them not seem so huge and overwhelming. Some users like things smaller for them to feel more "at home" on them.

I have a real dislike for fluid/100% width layouts myself. Makes things totally unreadable on higher resolutions such as I use (1600x1200).

Fixed is best IMO. With a fixed width I know how the site is going to look on anyones machine, (unless they change text size).

I agree with Julian it depends on the sites needs. In a forum I feel that Fluid is better but thats just my opinion.