DEFAULT FONTS ARE TOO SMALL

[Paula D.]

I work for several optometrists. There is a growing problem with computer users. They are needing stronger lens to avoid eye strain due to the increasing use of the internet and computers. Part of the problem is trying to read too small fonts on their screens. Computer / internet users sit about arms length from their computer so the screen fonts need to be larger to read without strain.

I noticed your message boards default font is very small. Your web page could increase the size of the font default to a larger sizes so the pages can be read easier. I know the poster can change the font size but it is seldom that they do so. PLEASE save the eyes of quilters but setting your font sizes larger on your pages and also increase the default font size for your posters.

Thank you

[Paula D.]

I have been using Mozilla Firefox for some time now and just learned (while doing doing computer "housecalls" with seniors) that there is a very easy way to change the size of fonts on the pages I am looking at: each click of "Ctrl +" makes them larger, and each click of "Ctrl -" makes them smaller. It is so easy to change the size at any time.
Louisa
SE OK

[Paula D.]

Louisa, that is a great trick! Thanks for telling us about it!!

Marge

[Paula D.]

thanks Louisa-- my 50 yo eyes appreciate it!

[Gloria H.]

WOW..Thanks.

[Gloria H.]

sorry but it does not seem to work on this site.... the font is still small on the typing page

It also does not work on the message board when you are reading the posts.


I have tried resetting the VIEW / FONT SIZE window

[Gloria H.]

Louisa, The Ctrl + does make it larger with my computer.....thank you for the tip. That should help a lot of people that have problems with the small fonts.

Dana in Olive Branch, MS

[Gloria H.]

[quote="LadyRags"][size=18]sorry but the font is still small on the typing page...does not work on the message board...when reading the posts... tried resetting the VIEW / FONT SIZE window

Maybe someone could help if you could tell us how large your monitor is, the resolution you are currently using, your current operating system, and the kind of internet browser you are using, and if you are using laptop or desktop, as I have seen big differences between those with size/quality.

Louisa SE OK

[Gloria H.]

On my Mac it is Apple + to make the font larger. Maybe this will help those using Macs.

[Gloria H.]

[size=150]sorry but the font is still small on the typing page...does not work on the message board...when reading the posts... tried resetting the VIEW / FONT SIZE window

Maybe someone could help if you could tell us how large your monitor is, the resolution you are currently using, your current operating system, and the kind of internet browser you are using, and if you are using laptop or desktop, as I have seen big differences between those with size/quality.

Louisa SE OK

17 inch monitor

full screen .... 1150 x 860 max colors 16 million I think

Windows XP

Microsoft Internet Explore

I keep getting messages to upgrade to WINDOW INTERNET EXPLORE 7 for Windows XP but my husband aready did so on his computer and I did not like the way if looked or functioned so I dod not upgrade.

The small font problem has been an on going thing.... I have new glasses so I no it is not my eyes.... other senior citizens are complaing about this too.

THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME

[Gloria H.]

17 inch monitor
full screen .... 1150 x 860 max colors 16 million I think
Windows XP
Microsoft Internet Explore

I keep getting messages to upgrade to WINDOW INTERNET EXPLORE 7 for Windows XP but my husband aready did so on his computer and I did not like the way if looked or functioned so I dod not upgrade.

The small font problem has been an on going thing.... I have new glasses so I no it is not my eyes.... other senior citizens are complaing about this too.

THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME

LadyRags, I hope one of the things I mention below may be of some help to you:

I notice that we have quite similar setups, but at the risk of repeating myself, I started using Mozilla Firefox, which you can download for free. You can have both on your computer and choose which to use. I liked it so much I made it my default browser, and the ability to enlarge/reduce the fonts with Ctrl + or - (0 goes back to default size) is such fun to use. I especially like the tabs and the menu bar where I can place and move around links and folders so I hardly ever have to go into my bookmark menu. The Quilt Show is right up there in full view in the middle where it is easy to click on! (I know you can use tabs in Exp. 7, but my laptop manufacturer told me my software did not support that version of Exp. and they had me remove it, so I only had Exp 6 also.)

I have noticed that some monitors have what used to be called a large "dot-pitch" which could make things less sharp. Almost every laptop I have seen in the last year has super clear print. The print I am using right now is very sharp, and in fact sharper than my desktop, so I find myself using the laptop more and more, because I can read faster. I do have astigmatism, and I did notice that when reading your large fonts, the letters with curves and angles in them (o, e, w, y, c and some others) appeared blurry while the straight horizontal and vertical lines were sharp. I do not notice this problem with the font I am using right now to respond, so apparently our computers are showing us things in a different way. I sure hope you can get yours so you can see better.

One thing I would suggest is going back into your desktop and trying an even larger font. Right-click on your desktop, select properties/appearance, and then where it says font size, I have three choices: normal, large, and extra large font. I have "large" set on my computer and am very comfortable with that setting. I really suggest trying the "extra large." You can always undo it if you don't like it. (whew!) I know there is also a software magnifier available for windows, but I did not like it and neither did a very senior cousin of mine who had almost no vision left.

In helping senior citizens with their computers, (I am 60 going on 90), I have also noticed that sometimes brightness and contrast can make a difference in eye comfort, and often the surrounding light can require changes in brightness regardless of whether you have a desktop monitor or a laptop. The laptop you see in my profile picture requires lowering the brightness in the evening, but cranking it up full blast in day time. Also, as I age, I know I need more light!

Sometimes you can also change the color settings in the monitor's menu which helps make your screen background whiter! (Remember the old days of using liquid "blueing" to get white shirts whiter?) Some monitors have a "recall" function that allows you to easily set it back to where it was if you don't like the results, but I suggest writing down your red and blue number values just in case. You would be amazed at how the screen color can change by moving either the red or blue way up or down. I "tune" each one (red and blue) way up and down and then gradually narrow it to where the extreme tints disappear, and then the screen usually looks visibly whiter making reading a bit easier.

Another thing to think about: some people read better with a bluer background while others need a more yellow one. You may also want to try that if the white doesn't help. (I used to use blue-tinted glasses to help coordinate my eyes while reading. Yes, I am one of those that did quite a lot of orthotherapy, which really helped.)

If that doesn't work, I would recommend going to a large computer store and checking out all the monitors they have. When I went to CompUsa they even let me go online to see what the screens would look like on different computers. At least that way you could find out if it is your computer, or if they all look alike.

One more thing: When I work on my desktop I sometimes need to grab a (cheap) +1.00 reading glass and put it in front of my regular prescription. It just perches on the frames, and I can see great. Apparently my distance prescription if just too much for the desktop distance, but when sitting at the laptop, I see fine through my bifocal reading prescription. Now remember, I am the one that, even though I have my reading glasses on, loves to use the Bernina magnifying glasses on my Aurora 440QE when I stitch in the ditch! (I had tri-focals for years, but when I started quilting I switched to bi's again and love it!

If you need specific help with any of the above, I welcome your email which you can send from my profile.

I am cheering for you and hope to hear some really good news soon! :wink:

Louisa
SE OK

[Jean H.]

WELL ya learn something new everyday THANK you so much. But I think what i will do is make my font size bigger anyway I also have trouble...jean

[Jean H.]

Sorry I could not read your response so I enlarged the font.... I have tried your suggestions none of them work on this web page or the other I have gone to ....
I think it has to do with the web masters at this web site...They set the dafault font to 8.5 and then the posters have to change the size... not enough posters do that... consequenly LADIES WITH MATURE EYES may have difficulty reading the posts.

I am afraid to go the any of the FREE SITE (MOZELLA firefox) because then I end up with tons of spam / spy ware etc.... i might try loading it tomorrow.... but today I have QUILT CLASS YIPPY!


Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:09 pm Post subject: working toward a font solution

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

17 inch monitor
full screen .... 1150 x 860 max colors 16 million I think
Windows XP
Microsoft Internet Explore

I keep getting messages to upgrade to WINDOW INTERNET EXPLORE 7 for Windows XP but my husband aready did so on his computer and I did not like the way if looked or functioned so I dod not upgrade.

The small font problem has been an on going thing.... I have new glasses so I no it is not my eyes.... other senior citizens are complaing about this too.

THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME

LadyRags, I hope one of the things I mention below may be of some help to you:

I notice that we have quite similar setups, but at the risk of repeating myself, I started using Mozilla Firefox, which you can download for free. You can have both on your computer and choose which to use. I liked it so much I made it my default browser, and the ability to enlarge/reduce the fonts with Ctrl + or - (0 goes back to default size) is such fun to use. I especially like the tabs and the menu bar where I can place and move around links and folders so I hardly ever have to go into my bookmark menu. The Quilt Show is right up there in full view in the middle where it is easy to click on! (I know you can use tabs in Exp. 7, but my laptop manufacturer told me my software did not support that version of Exp. and they had me remove it, so I only had Exp 6 also.)

I have noticed that some monitors have what used to be called a large "dot-pitch" which could make things less sharp. Almost every laptop I have seen in the last year has super clear print. The print I am using right now is very sharp, and in fact sharper than my desktop, so I find myself using the laptop more and more, because I can read faster. I do have astigmatism, and I did notice that when reading your large fonts, the letters with curves and angles in them (o, e, w, y, c and some others) appeared blurry while the straight horizontal and vertical lines were sharp. I do not notice this problem with the font I am using right now to respond, so apparently our computers are showing us things in a different way. I sure hope you can get yours so you can see better.

One thing I would suggest is going back into your desktop and trying an even larger font. Right-click on your desktop, select properties/appearance, and then where it says font size, I have three choices: normal, large, and extra large font. I have "large" set on my computer and am very comfortable with that setting. I really suggest trying the "extra large." You can always undo it if you don't like it. (whew!) I know there is also a software magnifier available for windows, but I did not like it and neither did a very senior cousin of mine who had almost no vision left.

In helping senior citizens with their computers, (I am 60 going on 90), I have also noticed that sometimes brightness and contrast can make a difference in eye comfort, and often the surrounding light can require changes in brightness regardless of whether you have a desktop monitor or a laptop. The laptop you see in my profile picture requires lowering the brightness in the evening, but cranking it up full blast in day time. Also, as I age, I know I need more light!

Sometimes you can also change the color settings in the monitor's menu which helps make your screen background whiter! (Remember the old days of using liquid "blueing" to get white shirts whiter?) Some monitors have a "recall" function that allows you to easily set it back to where it was if you don't like the results, but I suggest writing down your red and blue number values just in case. You would be amazed at how the screen color can change by moving either the red or blue way up or down. I "tune" each one (red and blue) way up and down and then gradually narrow it to where the extreme tints disappear, and then the screen usually looks visibly whiter making reading a bit easier.

Another thing to think about: some people read better with a bluer background while others need a more yellow one. You may also want to try that if the white doesn't help. (I used to use blue-tinted glasses to help coordinate my eyes while reading. Yes, I am one of those that did quite a lot of orthotherapy, which really helped.)

If that doesn't work, I would recommend going to a large computer store and checking out all the monitors they have. When I went to CompUsa they even let me go online to see what the screens would look like on different computers. At least that way you could find out if it is your computer, or if they all look alike.

One more thing: When I work on my desktop I sometimes need to grab a (cheap) +1.00 reading glass and put it in front of my regular prescription. It just perches on the frames, and I can see great. Apparently my distance prescription if just too much for the desktop distance, but when sitting at the laptop, I see fine through my bifocal reading prescription. Now remember, I am the one that, even though I have my reading glasses on, loves to use the Bernina magnifying glasses on my Aurora 440QE when I stitch in the ditch! (I had tri-focals for years, but when I started quilting I switched to bi's again and love it!

If you need specific help with any of the above, I welcome your email which you can send from my profile.

I am cheering for you and hope to hear some really good news soon!

Louisa
SE OK

[Jean H.]

I got a message from the web master of this forum that said he is changing the font size so it read and types larger. I am asking you ladies is this not better..... I sure is for me... thank you so much. You have just make my life easier.



:lol: :lol: :P :lol: :P

[Gloria H.]

This site is so awesome. I noticed right away tonight. It's sort of ask and you shall receive. Thanks to all of you behind the scenes people. Gloria in chilly Wisconsin with snow showers on the way for tomorrow. :x