Webdesigntuts+ Quiz #1: General Knowledge Basics

Webdesigntuts+ Quiz #1: General Knowledge Basics

on Jul 20th 2011 with 86 comments
This entry is part 1 of 8 in the The Official Webdesigntuts+ Quizzes Session
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Have any of you had a bash at the Nettuts+ quizzes yet? They’re great fun and a good way to highlight any gaps in your knowledge. Today sees the first of what will hopefully become a large collection of quizzes on Webdesigntuts+; ten questions on fundamental web design trivia. You can handle that, right?

Have a crack at the quiz then let me know your thoughts in the comments! Ideas for future quizzes are also welcome. Enjoy..

Just So You Know

Interested in hosting a similar quiz on your site? The jQuizzy plugin by Nettuts+’ Siddharth can be purchased over on CodeCanyon.

 
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Hi there! My name's Ian Yates. Welcome to Webdesigntuts+ :)  

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  • Ash Clarke

    I just walked into Mordor.

  • Jordan

    60% :(

  • http://christophedebruel.be Christophe Debruel

    question 8 is very questionable in my opinion

    • http://www.snaptin.com Ian Yates
      Author

      Hi Christophe – question 8 is perhaps a little subjective, but I’d be surprised if many people disagreed with the answer. You do though?

      (Ps: one clear opinion: http://dowebsitesneedtolookexactlythesameineverybrowser.com)

      • Bob

        If you go to http://dowebsitesneedtolookexactlythesameineverybrowser.com in Konqueror, it sais Yes!

      • http://www.robert-kent.com Robert

        It’s funny because that site looks the same in every browser I have

      • http://christophedebruel.be krike

        @Ian Yates: I’m sorry I should have formulated my comment a bit better, I totally agree with you but it’s more a personal opinion. It’s not a question where you can just say yes or no. If you look at popular website you will see that everything looks almost the same. Also if you are a perfectionist (which I’m not) you would say yes. If you want to setup a quality website the answer is definitely yes but it doesn’t mean that every pixel must be exactly the same. There can be some variations but they should be minor.

        That’s what I actually meant :)

        • http://www.snaptin.com Ian Yates
          Author

          No apologies necessary Christophe! I think I’ve learned my lesson as far as using subjective questions within multiple choice quizzes goes..

          ‘way to introduce myself to the Webdesigntuts+ readership :P

      • http://www.oliviersp.com Olivier

        I think the answer should be yes… if my client use IE7 it’s not his problem but mine, the site have to be the same as I show him for the first time in photoshop.

    • http://www.bramme.net Bram Van der Sype

      I must agree with Christophe, question 8 is very subjective and I think the answer varies from person to person, website to website.

      If you want a website that’s hip, fresh and up there with all the modern trends, yes, then you want a responsive website that adapts to screen resolutions and possibly has some extra fluff that only modern browsers support. And ofcourse, you must also mention somewhere that IE is evil.

      However, if you deal with less tech-savvy people, you just want something that looks the same everywhere, as to avoid confusing your customers (and that’s just one reason).

      Also, I feel that saying “yes, it’s okay that websites look different browsers” is a bit of a slippery slope. Before we know it (this has been discussed before, as we’re already seeing it) we’re back in 1998 and every website is covered in “Best viewed in …” buttons.

    • GorillaWma

      Well about question 8…
      I say that answer is NO! . This is my opinion. If page would look exactly same in all browsers than you don’t need 4-5 browsers, we could all still use IE6 than and everything would be ok, less effort for designers, coders, programmers etc.

      Browsers are just like cars, they all serve for same purpose, but main difference is under the hood and being unique.

      That makes browsers successful, small unique things that no other browsers can show, and if u know how to implement this new things, that gives you big advantage. Also that forces people to leave old technology and start using new one.

      • James

        Wow, really? What about personal freedom and taste? What if operating systems were to fold, mostly because Safari won`t run on Linux or IE6/9 won`t run on Mac/Linux?

        That`s just a bullshit awnser. Basically what you are saying is this:

        “All websites should NOT look the same because we want different browsers”

        Now, as a very tech-savvy person, I dare say I hate the fact we have to work with so many browsers. All the debugging, fixing margins et cetera, it really get to the nerves at some point. I WISH all browser makers started implementing the right set of rules. But hey, that`s just me.

        Anyway, point i`m going to make is this: I too disagree with Question n`8. We should allways try ( and fail) getting the same layout on every browser.

    • http://www.adesignlink.com Chad P

      I agree that it is questionable. If fact I don’t believe that there is a right answer. Thus the reason I chose cheese sandwich.

  • pewh

    By the way, there’s a bug on the 7th question. I choose:
    ‘when mixed in the proper proportions, produce a neutral color (gray, white, or black)’

    It says ‘incorrect’, but I see the correct answer is what I’ve choose… It seems like wrong icon and correct icon in my answer.

    But for all, it’s great quiz. I’ve got 80%. Not bad

    • http://www.snaptin.com Ian Yates
      Author

      Well done pewh! I don’t seem to be able to recreate the bug you’re talking about for question 7, but find solace in the fact that you were correct :)

      • Nick

        That was the only one I got wrong (I selected adjacent on the colour wheel), however, the display for the answer is weird on the results……

        http://i.imgur.com/34l1R.png

        • http://www.snaptin.com Ian Yates
          Author

          Thanks for the screenshot – I see what you mean now. I’ll badger Siddharth and see what’s up..

  • http://gashone.com gashone

    Good enough, I guess. You scored 80%

    Could be better.. :)

  • http://designlovr.com ximi

    Cute quiz.

    Looks like the quiz had a visit by the error bug though:

    Question 8:
    Even though I personally agree with the fact that web sites don’t have to look exactly the same across all browsers it is a subjective statement nonetheless. I don’t really think there is a right or wrong here, just opinions and preferences.

    Question 9:
    @font-face isn’t a legitimate font replacement service, however it is a legitimate font-replacement technique

  • Sebastian Wasser

    I only have 90%, because I chose “Cheese Sandwich” as the answer for question #8.
    Funny quiz :D

  • http://www.djules.fr Djules

    90% ! I made wrong at question 8 : I answered “Cheese sandwich” OMG ! :D

    • http://www.snaptin.com Ian Yates
      Author

      Funny how many people seem to have fallen foul of the Cheese sandwich.. I might have to come up with a Quick Tip series on the pitfalls of light snacking in web design :P

  • http:/www.josemiguel.com.gt Jose

    Nice!
    I got 80 :)

  • Anon

    I fail to see the usefulness of this “quiz”, especially considering that one answer in each set of answers is so painfully, obviously bogus. (I understand they are likely presented for the sake of levity, but let’s be honest: this is not a quiz for web design professionals.) There were two questions that people need to think about; the rest were cruft. Example: Why would a quiz about web design ask what had and had not been discussed previously on a tutorials site?

    • http://www.snaptin.com Ian Yates
      Author

      A: To make the participant realise that certain things have been covered on the site. They may want to go and check them out.

  • http://alexpascal.com Alex Pascal

    Question 8 is definitely questionable. If you had said “All sites should look identical on every browser.” then yes, it would be “false” but you said “as identical as possible” which is in fact “true” because you want to offer browser-specific enhancement but the base site layout and “image” should remain the same regardless of what browser you’re using. You wouldn’t want an entirely different look for every browser, would you?

    • http://cssrockstar.com matt

      I agree. Sites should look as similar as is reasonably possible across browsers and enhanced to take advantage of newer developments. For example, I will never again use javascript for simple animations that transitions can do nor will I use images for rounded corners, shadows, etc but I still feel responsible to present a brand appropriately on any browser.

  • http://www.snaptin.com Ian Yates
    Author

    I’ll admit playing devil’s advocate and provoking discussion with question 8, but I definitely stand by the answer. In real-world usability terms there’s a high probability you’ll want your site to appear ‘as identical as possible’ across multiple browsers. Doing so will reinforce visual identity and brand familiarity.

    However, nowhere is it set in stone and in some cases you might even find it beneficial to explore how different browsers (and devices) display your work.

    • Joe

      I don’t think anyone is really disputing the ANSWER in question #8, but how the QUESTION itself was worded. “As identical as possible” & “They don’t necessarily need to be identical” are essentially the same answer. Subjectively, that is…

  • Nate

    Ninety percent? I’m loosing it! D:

  • http://www.blakelyons.com Blake

    Errrr… I took the test and answered questions correctly that were marked incorrect… Something buggy here?

    • http://www.snaptin.com Ian Yates
      Author

      Hmm, thanks Blake – any chance you could recreate what you did and grab a screenshot? I can’t find any issues when I play with it :S

      • Marcus

        I have to agree with Ian and Dan Cederholm on this topic. As Dan states in his book, it’s a matter of progressive enhancement. As long as it degrades nicely i don’t believe that it has to look the same.

        And i also have to welcome our new captain Ian. Hopefully you will do a great job filling Brandon’s big old shoes :D I’m very exited to see what big plans you have for this site.

  • http://www.promotikainc.com/ Anthony

    Ummm… Question 8 is questionable. I think that is one of the main reasons the web is evolving as it, to provide an identical experience to all users.

  • http://clgmusings.wordpress.com CarrieLynn

    I really enjoyed this quiz! I am also a HUGE fan of the rest of the “tuts network” as well. Quizzes like this one would do well in those areas!

  • http://www.dazydude.net Rik de Vos

    Never thought I could do it, but:
    You’re awesome enough to just walk into Mordor, aren’t you? You scored 100%

  • http://www.middlefingerindustries.ca Mordecai P. Cockburn

    I failed.

  • http://hood-lord.deviantart.com Kanchan Rai

    HEHE!! The quiz was fun!! In love with this jQuizzy Plugin, just cool though I got a score I’m not so proud to brag about!!

    Such a dumb mistake at no. 1, anyways, enjoyed this post??
    Question number 8, answer wrong??? My comments:inherit;
    :D

  • Martin

    70% for me, because I know nothing about color theory. I will say that I disagree with your answer on number 8. In my opinion, we have a vision for how our sites will be when they are finished. If we are not striving to create the same experience in all browsers, that doesn’t make sense to me.

    I do understand wanting to alter the experience for mobile versus desktop, however I feel that among *all* mobile browsers, you want a consistent experience. Among *all* desktop browsers, you want a consistent experience.

  • Techeese

    90% D:

    failed Q#1

    ————-
    Im going to make myself taller now

  • Pingback: Webdesigntuts+ Quiz #1: General Knowledge Basics | Shadowtek | Hosting and Design Solutions

  • http://benmartinstudios.com.au Ben

    Looks like I can walk into Mordor :P

    I am confident of my answer to Q8, but I can see how some would say yes. Most good websites that I’ve seen have a very similar (or the same) layout regardless of the browser, but progressively enhance/gracefully degrade extra features such as shadows, rounded corners, @font-face, etc. Mobiles are a different story though ;)

  • kankuro

    i’ve 60%….. hehehe nice try… question in #8 it’s not necessary to be identical… not all browsers have the same capability to render every website… like IE browsers they’re sucks…. makes headaches… :D

  • http://blog.robertwojo.com Robert Wojo

    Got 90% :)
    Question 8 is the one i got wrong, but to me they should look identical of very similar at least.

  • http://rockingthepjs.com/ Trisha Cupra

    I don’t normally resort to stupid comments, but…

    Cheese sandwich, FTW!

  • http://danaemc.com Danae

    Heheh, couldn’t resist answering #8 with “Cheese Sandwich”. I think browser compatibility is more important than a website that looks EXACTLY the same in all browsers. If I make anything that functions in IE6, I consider it a job well done. You shouldn’t be using that browser anyway. Heck, half the people I give support to don’t even know what a browser is!

  • Nikhil Malhotra

    Nice…Interesting Quiz.Just scored 70% :)

  • Mac81

    The quiz doesn’t work on iPad :-(

  • Anthony

    60% – Not good and not So bad :) Very intersting quiz to revise something that you have read on Webdesign.tutsplus :) Big up :)

  • JF

    100%, Mordor i’m coming in !

  • Halvard Amble

    I beg to differ on Q8 – the correct answer is “Cheeze sandwich”. Some are good and some are bad, they are never the same, but they are all cheeze sandwiches/websites.

  • http://www.hellallama.com/ Michael

    Regarding Question #8:

    I don’t think the answer subjective at all; a website SHOULD look the same in all browsers! That’s why we have web standards and the http://www.w3.org/ : to create a standards, so the internet speaks the same code and have the website interpreted as the designer had intended. Should I bring up Internet Explorer as an example?

    Somebody answered ‘no, they shouldn’t look the same’. What? Do you want to code differently for every single browser and version? I don’t.

    The question should be phrased:
    “Do websites appear identically across all browsers?”

    Then I would agree with the answer, “not necessarily”.

    Michael

    P.S. I got a 90% (I’m taking #8 as answered correctly)
    P.P.S. Thanks for the quiz though, it was fun! =D

    • http://nightfirecat.right-0n.com/ Jordan

      I think the phrasing of the question might have been better that way, since it does better justice to the fact that often enough now, to write standards-compliant websites, that have the design that we’re hunting after means to forsake certain browsers (you all know what I’m talking about) to having a flawed layout.

  • http://www.aliendev.com Michael Youngblood

    q3) do you really believe everyone taking the quiz has read everything you have ever posted?

    q6) although have 3 sides of padding works, it isn’t suggested or good practice. just sayin. so saying they are all fine, is not true. However, if you would of said, which one doesn’t work, that answer would of been fine.

    q7) had a bug on it. i answered it right, and it was marked as both wrong and right. good job.

    q8) again with the bad wording in the question. Yes a website should appear the same in all browsers, if it doesn’t, your not doing it right. well, at least if you give a rats booty about your users anyhow.

    • http://www.snaptin.com Ian Yates
      Author

      Er, well, I appreciate your input Michael.

      1) No I don’t believe everyone has read everything ever published on this site, but it’s my job to make sure everyone’s aware of what’s available.

      2) Specifying 3 values for padding is 100% valid. The first value is used for the top padding, the second for right and left, the last value for the bottom. Check out the specs at w3schools or mozilla or wherever else you fancy.

      3) There’s currently an issue with the css, we’ll make sure that’s fixed soon.

      4) I think this has probably been commented on enough here, but I’m always happy to stir up discussion. Thanks for taking part :)

  • Fahad

    I scored 80% and this is the first time i have scored a good percentage :) I am very happy. BTW my answer for #8 was not necessarily :D

  • http://pixelwolf.tumblr.com Niam

    70%, Not bad for a 13-year old. :)

  • India

    I scored 80%. Not bad. I’m glad you all decided to bring the quizzes over to Webdesigntuts+. I’ve also enjoyed the discussions that this quiz help stimulate. Keep ‘em coming Ian

  • http://www.devative.com silentpro

    There is NO WAY that Cheese Sandwich is the wrong answer for question #8!!!!!!!!

    I hereby call for a round table discussion….

  • Kev

    “Websites should appear as identical as possible across all browsers.” = Not necessarily

    What? lol

    • http://www.youtube.com/user/izvarzone AntoxaGray

      That means you should not spent 80% of time to fix 20% of problems that not worth fixing.

  • http://www.swimminghippo.co.uk/ SEO Midlands

    An interesting little quiz… Scored 90%, with colours not being my strong point, I fell on the complimentary colours question, question 7!

    A nice little test to start the day!

  • Jody Thai

    I got 100% :D!

  • http://dimalash.blogspot.com Dimalash

    I don’t understand english well, so scored 70%. Yeah!

  • Andrew

    I disagree with the answer to #8. The answer is OBVIOUSLY Cheese Sandwhich.

  • john

    Is there a cut-off date for these quizzes?
    Can’t run this quiz #1.

    • http://www.snaptin.com Ian Yates
      Author

      ..er.. no? It’s working (and will continue to work) just fine. What’s the problem?

  • levi

    question 8 is load of crap

  • http://www.webinator.dk/ Martin

    I think that a website should appear as identical as possible in all browsers. If a user is suddenly forced to use anoter browser, they want to see the same webpage, without to many changes.

  • eeean

    Several of these questions aren’t “Web Design Basics” at all… Some of the questions are irrelevant or touch on subjectivity or are more complex or esoteric than “fundamentals”. I encourage you to keep making quizzes, but please do not mis-label them as educational “fundamentals”. Neither should you frame them in an entirely educational sense. You do a disservice to beginners by confusing an already complex domain.

    • http://www.snaptin.com Ian Yates
      Author

      Which of the questions did you feel were out of place (and thereby confusing) under the heading “Web Design General Knowledge Basics”?

  • harish

    i scored 70%, and with that learned something that i didnt know.. thank you!

  • dillon

    question 9 isn’t properly worded. @font-face isn’t a font replacement service, neither is cufon, they are techniques

  • Douglas

    Well, im not that bad…. 80% is good i think….

  • Tom

    90%… *However* – you spelled “complementary” wrong (more than once) on the question that I missed. Therefore I’m awarding myself 100%.

    • http://www.snaptin.com Ian Yates
      Author

      Wow – take your 100%, you earned it! I can’t believe I never realised that complementary colors are so named because they complete each other, not compliment each other..

      I’ve learned something too, thanks :)

      • Tom

        Don’t sweat it; that’s one of the most common mistakes creatives (and clients) make.

        (And to be fair, I’m an editor/proofer — not a designer.)

  • Nate

    Mordor, yay! I’m assuming the 8th question is geared at stuff like mobile browsers. I got it right, but I could see how people might trip up on that. Also, on the font replacement question…a few that I wasn’t familiar with so I guessed. 50/50 chance.

  • http://www.manakmichal.cz manakmichal

    Question 8: I always expected that websites are cross-browser optimalized. It’s not necessary but it’s better for you visitors and for your business. As frond-end web developer and UX specialist, i always advocate cross-browser optimalization of webpages.

  • http://www.queenswebdesignandgraphics.com Anthony

    Question 8 is more of personal belief rather than web design fact…Now I need a drink after that.

  • http://www.youtube.com/user/izvarzone AntoxaGray

    Yay 100%. I expected something around 85%.

  • http://mhuntdesign.com Matt

    The fact of the matter is: In regards to question #8 is that the question should have been rephrased to say something like: “According to popular belief (here at webdesign tuts) websites… it’s pretty clear that most web designers believe websites do not need to look identical in all browsers. it’s not so much a personal belief, but an accepted understanding among web designers and developers.

    • Ian

      interesting. I know it’s not always possible (especially with IE) so it’s ok if some things are different but if I make a specific design wouldn’t I want to do everything I can to make sure everyone sees the site the same way (other than responsive design differences)?

  • http://www.ghost.uk.com Richard Gould

    Well 50%, I’m ashamed of myself.

  • Panjijey Panjey

    50% i don’t expect high score.. Just to test my skills.

  • http://www.facebook.com/bgowder Brett Gowder

    100% on the quiz, but I didn’t know the meaning of the word Mordor until looking it up afterwards.

  • http://erikroyall.co.de/ Erik Royall

    UX for User’s Ex-Girlfriend : That was funny