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As someone that runs a few websites it’s important to me that my sites are accessible for people no matter how their computer is set up. It can be awkward testing how a website will display due to different browsers and their versions, operating systems and resolutions and catering for each option can be difficult to juggle as it takes away from the content.

Today I happened to find an excellent open-source website that will go a long way in helping me figure out what appears as it should for everyone, or falls short of my expectations. The website is called Browsershots and it lets you configure a list of displays (including those factors I’ve already mentioned) and processes them using computers run by volunteers. Several snapshots are taken of the required site with the specifications you gave and then uploaded to Browsershots so you can view them, and even download them to do further comparisons.

My testing on the site is fairly preliminary however it does look like a worthwhile tool, especially if you’re like me and don’t have access to a Mac or perhaps only have one version of a browser installed. I should warn that it does take quite a while for the entire process to complete, and some show that the browser never made it to the website (presumably the site it was loading took too long so it sends you a blank screen) but I feel these are minor inconveniences.

In closing I think it’s a great site for webmasters but don’t expect instant results. I’d also recommend checking one component at a time as, in my experience, the more I compared the longer I was waiting in the queue. I definitely think it’s one to watch for the future though!

[Edit - 6:31pm, 16th May 2008]
I should add that I don’t know either way whether adding more or less comparisons will change the length of time you’re in a queue. It might just depend on what else is on the queue, it could have been my web host’s server or any number of factors.