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Posted by Jonathan N. Little on 01/21/06 00:37
Stewart Gordon wrote:
> Jose wrote:
>
>>> I am trying to get on every computer
>>> with MS Sans Serif because it is slightly
>>> different from Arial
<snip>
>> but could be anything). I don't have a font called "MS Sans Serif" on
>> my (windows 98) computer.
>
>
> I hadn't realised they'd stopped providing it by that time. I'll have
> to check when I get home.
>
>> In the case where it =is= a specific font, you can request that the
>> browser use it, but the font must be available on the computer for
>> that to work, otherwise the browser will use the "next best thing".
>> Remember, users may not want =your= font, they may well want =their=
It's there, just that WinApps are 'TrueType' biased and many times don't
show the screen (bitmap) fonts. On any Windows machine click
'Start|Run..." enter 'charmap' and view all your installed fonts
including screen fonts like 'terminal' and 'fixsys'
<snip>
>> That said - Arial is a dumass font for the net since it confuses
>> several letters and numbers, leading to easy impersonation.
>
>
> If you mean that the difference between I and l isn't obvious, then yes.
> But that's true of many sans-serif fonts. And even some serif fonts
> make l and 1 look almost identica1.
No that is not true. The confusion is between the uppercase 'i' and
lowercase 'l' with Arial (common to many sans-serif fonts). The number
'1' is distinguishable for the letter characters by a upper simplified
serif, (little tang going off the left) where the letter characters have
no such serif. Actually the legibility problem is with serif fonts like
Times and Times New Roman that have a problem between lowercase 'l' and
the numeral '1'!
>
> OTOH, there's a school of thought that thinks that sans-serif fonts are
> actually best for online documents. Allegedly easier on the eyes, or
> something like that.
They are easier to read because they are 'blacker' (heavier weight) in
general and the simplified lines are easier to read when smaller or in
lower contrast situations. Script and decorative fonts are probably the
least legible and should only be used sparingly
--
Take care,
Jonathan
-------------------
LITTLE WORKS STUDIO
http://www.LittleWorksStudio.com
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