I really don't see a reason that wider monitors can't utilize their width on individual posts.
The circle shows that the width for text is limited due to the scrollbar, and if you look at the size of the post, it likely shouldn't even need it.
Zielmann1 votesThe scroll bar is there because of the length of the link, not because of the text. The system apparently won't let a link drop across multiple lines. This should be less of an issue when they finally let us embed links in text, rather than having to just have the full URL hanging out there cluttering up the post.
The reason for the width limit on the text area is for readability. At a certain point, if you make the lines of test too long, it will actually cause more strain/fatigue on the reader.
Rough estimate is that the displayed text will never be more than 740 or 750 pixels wide, no matter how wide you make your browser window.
Pryotra1 votesNot entirely true, or then each paragraph would stretch further width-wise. However, text wrap is present at that width, which means it is hard coded for their minimum.
Also, if that second point were true, then the bug is with the width of the post background. Either way, they are wasting space on my monitor resolution, which isn't really adaptable.
Zielmann1 votesHmm. Just looking using this thread as an example, it does seem that replies to a thread have a different width limit than the initial post itself. I hadn't noticed that the post you were showing was a reply.
Pretty sure they could set it so replies would set the text width limit to be the same as the initial post. That would help some.
But I still argue that not having it stretch the full width of the screen is better. I have a tendency to skip lines when reading, and it gets worse as the lines of text get longer.
I agree that when full-screeened on a widescreen monitor, they aren't really making the best use of the space. But I don't feel like stretching the text out further just to fill the space in is the right solution, either.
Pryotra1 votesPersonally, I don't feel catering to those who don't really read is the right course of action. If they want to promote discussion, they should cater to reading not skipping lines.
Perhaps meeting somewhere in the middle, and make better use of the side bar? Personally it feels to me that could be a little bit wider, but not equal to post width.
Also, if you look at the preview, it really isn't that bad. Seriously, copy paste this post into a reply box, and you will see the preview stretch across the box, It is exclusively when it is posted that it doesn't stretch.
Zielmann1 votesI don't think you understood what I said correctly...
I do read all of a post. But when reading (anything, anywhere), I have a natural tendency to skip lines, which slows me down while reading. It happens to me more frequently as lines of text get longer and longer. And then when I have long lines of text and I skip one, that means I accidentally skipped even more content that I then have to go back and re-read.
And yes, the preview when my browser is fullscreened has the text lines getting to a length where I am very likely to accidentally skip a line. It's one of the several reasons why I never have anything but games maximized on my screen.
Sir Frosthaven3 votesI prefer a smaller article width so that my eyes don't have to do a lot of horizontal tracking, myself. I much prefer web developers that utilize percentage font sizes to fill in larger-width content areas rather than stacking more text in it, but to each his/her own!
Pryotra1 votesPercentage font sizes make sense, I hadn't thought about that.
Still, it needs to be consistent, otherwise the preview doesn't necessarily preview what you just typed. I have other small issues with that, but that will be another post, maybe.
Pryotra1 votesAh, I see. I clearly thought you meant you didn't read it all if it got too long content wise, not width wise.
But still, I feel wasting space isn't the right answer. Maybe percentage fonts, like frost mentioned, but on my screen that would look kinda dumb. Perhaps let the side bar width and the post width grow with wider screens together, and have fonts get a smallish percent size? Realize on lower resolution monitors, things look bigger.
I agree that posts feel a bit wide, but I'm used to reading books that are large in size and small in font, so it doesn't bother me at all. It could be a slightly smaller width, but make sure that the sidebar is better used in that case.