Something you may not have thought about is thinking you know what your site/web-app will be used for.

Take Microsoft Excel as an example. A simple spreadsheet that is much more now - people are using it well beyond the scope of a spreadsheet and have made programs/applications/helpers that sit over the top of it - something never foreseen for the use of a humble replacement of those paper grids that were the torment of accountants everywhere.

Likewise with the web - you may think you know what people are going to use your app in one way (or site for that matter) but along comes something new + different. Without flexibility (and that’s the key - think ifelse’s site as an example) adaptation is difficult.

Yes, there are probably places where this makes sense, and that is why I say it is best to know your audience, but to be honest, I don’t see the aiming at 1024×768 to be “pushing the limits”. As someone knowing this feeling very well (because I’m often guilty of it) I believe this is more a case of designers wanting shinier toys.

Trying to please everyone is a sure way to please no one. I think you are right that you need to know your audience but I think people easily fall into a comfort zone. Lets just stay at 800 to be safe is something I constantly hear. I can use that excuse for almost every site on the web. I think taking to the chance to expand out of the norm may lead to some suprising results.

So, please, please know your audience first, and let’s stop thinking about these kinds of absolutes, ok?

I think its also a reassurance to designers and a status symbol, the fact we wish to use your products. I don’t feel like you have to please the lowest common denominator to be successful. It the fishing from the same hole mentality.

I think Johnathan Ives mentioned in a recent interview that Apple was developing a hands-free phone at one time and test showed however that people really felt uncomfortable using it, and were probably even embarrased to be seen using it.

Then along came the iPod which everyone loves to be seen with, “Hey I’m cool and hip!” epitomizes what the iPod represents. We are comfortable and even proud to own one. We especially like to be seen using it. It says I love music and technology all at the same time.

Ultiamately, I think many of us are more than willing to pay extra for clever design regadless if there is a more inexpensive option. To use a phrase from Schindler’s List “Nice things cost money.”