RFC: Changing the documentation's font style.

Patrick Powell papowell at astart.com
Fri Apr 12 15:18:42 UTC 2013


On 04/12/13 07:20, Warren Block wrote:
> On Fri, 12 Apr 2013, Erich Dollansky wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:41:46 +0100
>> Isabell Long <issyl0 at FreeBSD.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I sent this idea to the #bsddocs IRC channel a few days ago and no-one
>>> there objected, but here you go. I'd like to know your opinions on the
>>> documentation font being changed from serif to sans-serif. This would
>>> only affect the web-based docs, not the ones being prepared for print.
>>>
>>> An example of this is at
>>> http://tau.devrandom.co.uk/issyl0/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/ ,
>>> and a diff of my very simple changes is at
>>> http://tau.devrandom.co.uk/issyl0/docs_font.diff
>>>
>>> In my opinion, it makes a hugely positive difference and modernises
>>> the look of the documentation set.
>>>
>> how old are you?
>>
>> The serif fonts are easier to read for older people.
>>
>> I agree, it looks more modern. But what is the idea behind a
>> documentation? Look good or being read by people for the content.
>
> Try viewing the two versions in side-by-side windows.  The serif fonts 
> were a lot blobbier and less sharp for me.  Aliasing and antialiasing 
> at work with limited resolution.
>
> Serif is easier to read in print, but that's much higher resolution.
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I tried an experiment.  At smaller font sizes the San Serif fonts were 
easier to read.
Ummm...  and I am definitely an 'Old Timer'.

-- 
Patrick Powell                 Astart Technologies
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