Screen Resolution

[curry]

I've seen this conversation replay for years on different lists. OK, 
maybe we should have a bot that scans mailing lists and if the term 
"screen resolution" comes up, e-mails "Aaaahh! No! Life as we know it 
will cease to exist!"

Seriously, like most stuff, it depends. Indeed, it could be 
problematic if used with total abandon. On the other hand, it is 
common and even the norm for some types of games, although more for 
PC than for Mac. So, there are two sides here, and it could be just 
as illogical to ignore the context and have a blanket anti-switching 
agenda as it is to ignore user and interface considerations and abuse 
the feature. If the feature is abused then nature will probably take 
its course and users will make their discomfort known and the 
developer will have to adjust.

I am not using switching for any current work but if I did, no need 
to feel guilty; I think the solution for how to do it humanely is 
extremely simple. Just default to no switching and let the user 
choose to turn it on, through options and also perhaps by asking them 
whether they want to do it the first time they run the game. Then the 
user makes the choice with their own  preference and responsibility. 
You offer an extra option for the user's enjoyment if they want it 
and the peace of mind not to use it if they don't. Some users would 
hate it and some would love it. So let them decide and maybe they 
will all love your software.

Curry