Optimizing the Views

You should take advantage of the two different application views: Small and Canvas. Design each view uniquely. Keep in mind that each view has a variety of states that can appear across the Yahoo! network in different contexts. Use a lightweight Small View to entice the user into running the application within the rich and interactive Canvas View. Don’t assume the dimensions of the container, as they might change.

Do's

  • Create a widget-like Small View and a rich, interactive Canvas View. (Example: Addicted to Chappelle's Show)
  • Allow fluid dimensions for different sizes in different places around Yahoo!. Use a width of 100% for your applications so that its width adjusts if the window size changes. (Example: Flixter)
  • Ensure that the fluid dimensions of your application enable it to display properly within the smallest available container. Factor in the width of a scrollbar, which is about 20 pixels wide, as well as the fixed height of the window on the Yahoo! homepage (www.yahoo.com). If your window extends below this fixed height, it may not appear without scrolling.

Don'ts

  • Don't create a Small View that merely duplicates the Canvas View.
  • Don't restrict an application to a fixed width (Example: <div style="width:478px;">...</div>).
  • Don’t assume you know the size of the application container. There is currently no method you can call to obtain the container's dimensions. That said, please note the rough dimensions of the Yahoo! homepage's Small View (400 pixels wide by 460 pixels high) and Canvas View (750 pixels wide by 460 pixels high).

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