7 replies to this topic

[f1pcr]

Hi -

I've noticed that the news items now have a sans-serif font, whereas I'd been used to a serif font. My set browser preference for a serif font is being overridden.

This may seem trivial, but I am slightly dyslexic and serif fonts a much easier to read on a computer screen. Yes, I can switch to a browser that allows me to override your font settings, but that changes so many things that it causes more problems. Perhaps you can write the code for the news pages to allow user selected fonts for the article text? I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

[bira]

We never used a serif font, as far as I know.

The style was always Verdana, "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif and the only difference is that it's now "Lucida Grande", Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif. The reason for the switch in the order is because nowadays Macs come with a Verdana font that is wider (thicker) than the PC verdana, which makes displays different (e.g. titles wrap on a Mac display but not on a PC). So we use Lucida Grande, which has similar width attributes on Mac to Verdana on a PC.

Either way, though, both Verdana and Lucida Grande are sans-serif fonts.

[f1pcr]

Thank you for the reply.

I've checked and, in fact, it is "Verdana" which I was seeing. And, true enough, it's not a serif font. However, it is comfortably legible. "Lucida Grande" is not. Moreover, I admit it's a personal preference based on my dyslexia.

To a dyslexic, words and letters "float" on the page and appear to superimpose themselves. A serif font helps, a font like Verdana which reinforces the line separation is also OK. Subjectively, Lucida is blocky, the spacing between letters, between words and between lines becomes indistinct and it's tiresome.

All I ask is that a user's browser font preference not be overriden on the article pages, so that all users can accomodate their needs, without imposing them on others or altering the graphic design of the site as a whole.

[mach4]

Don't know if Lucida Grande is a standard font on Vista or not but I don't have it on my system so the font I see is still Verdana.

If you don't care for Lucida Grande maybe you could delete it from your computer? Not the best solution but it's an option nonetheless.

[bira]

Originally posted by f1pcr
All I ask is that a user's browser font preference not be overriden on the article pages, so that all users can accomodate their needs, without imposing them on others or altering the graphic design of the site as a whole.

We've been "imposing" our choice of fonts since at least 1998, the only difference is you don't like our choice right now.

There is an option in Firefox - under Preferences -> Content tab, "Fonts & Colors": click on "Advanced" and uncheck the box "Allow websites to choose their own font, instead of my selection above".

p.s.

Not that it's any of my business, but Serif fonts as well as Verdana are widely regarded as bad for dyslexic.

[f1pcr]

I'm sorry, we seem to be misunderstanding each other. It's not a matter of whether I like the font or not. Nor is it that I am too lazy to uncheck a box in Firefox.

Beside being dyslexic, I am also an Architect. Here in the US we have the "Americans with Disabilities Act" which requires us to avoid unknowingly creating unnecessary obstacles to access. Perhaps there is something similar in the UK.

All that's been asked is that users be allowed to excercise their choice of font when viewing the text of articles, which can go on for several paragraphs and require more reading than a headline. This is a single line of code which can benefit many, and alters nothing if the user does not require it. In my mind, it's a simple matter of good accessible design.

[pio!pio!]

For some reason, it's showing up as Times New Roman for me

I don't have Lucida Granda or Helvetica installed (Windows XP Pro)..I do have Verdana and Arial installed
When I load a news item, it briefly (1/2 a second) appears in Verdana or Arial (they look similar) before snapping into Times New Roman

strange issue..

[bira]

pio!pio! that is a different issue altogether. See http://forums.autosp...?threadid=89091