What do you do for a mobile version of a site ?

ikillbears · 26 Oct 2013 at 21:36

As title really. I've only ever built a couple of very basic websites using 960 grid system which i have finally managed to get my head around. the client has never requested a mobile version of a site and i never dared dipping my preverbial toe in as it took me long enough to get the basics

however, im now in a position to make one. So. I've been looking around and it seems like i have 2 options. i either build a specific mobile site. or i implement a responsive grid design into my current layout. ive come across one here : http://webcache.googleusercontent.c.../quantum-framework/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk which says it uses the 960 which i thought would make things easier. but im getting confused about where to place the group and possibly section classes.

Would be really grateful if any one could either point me in the direction or a really easy to use one or a tutorial for that one

or just tell me im an idiot and explain it

Th3M8dH8tt3r · 26 Oct 2013 at 22:07

Get on teamtreehouse.com to learn. Its a fantastic site.

As for mobile versions, the word i use is adaptive. Its the same site but adapts to the viewport. I write a CSS file for mobile and it looks completely different. The idea of writing a second site is a lot of work, more then writing a second style sheet.

touch · 26 Oct 2013 at 23:19

Th3M8dH8tt3r said:
the word i use is adaptive.

We actually had a discussion with a designer about this last week. Ended up looking googling the definitions and there is a difference between 'adaptive' and 'responsive' layouts. (I think adaptive uses pre-defined layouts depending on resolution and responsive uses a fluid layout that fits to any size.)

Regardless of the differences, you should really go for an adaptive/responsive layout.
Mobile screens are getting much bigger and tablets are becoming very popular, there isnt really a clear split between a large computer screen and a small mobile screen anymore, there are a huge variety of sizes to accommodate.

PMWD · 28 Oct 2013 at 22:03

I use the mobile first http://stuffandnonsense.co.uk/projects/320andup/ for responsive websites (tbh we don't do anything but now). If you download it and have a look through the less files you'll see how it all works. Really easy to use once you get your head around it and a really good foundation for your css.