While we're mentioning fonts and all, be advised that Windows Vista uses
ClearType on by default. So take care preparing screenshots when using
Vista.
From the Wikipedia again:
ClearType does not work with flat-panel displays that are operated at
resolutions other than their “native” resolutions, since only the native
resolution corresponds exactly to the actual positions of pixels on the
screen of the display.
If a display does not have the type of fixed pixels that ClearType
expects, text rendered with ClearType enabled may actually look worse
than type rendered without it. Some flat panels have unusual pixel
arrangements, with the colors in a different order, or with the
subpixels positioned differently (in three horizontal bands, or in other
ways). ClearType needs to be manually tuned for use with such displays
(see below).
Similarly, displays that have no fixed pixel positions, such as CRT
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathode_ray_tube> displays, may be harder
to read if ClearType is enabled.
Additionally, when images are prepared to be display-independent (that
is, when they are prepared for distribution, and not just for display on
the computer with which they were prepared), ClearType should be turned
off if rendered text is part of the image. For example, screenshots
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenshot> should always be prepared with
ClearType turned /off./ Image-editing programs such as Adobe Photoshop
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoshop> or Corel Paint Shop Pro
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paint_Shop_Pro> bypass ClearType when
rendering text directly, for precisely this reason.
ClearType tuning
Most recent versions of Microsoft Windows
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows> only allow ClearType to
be turned on or off. However, there are other parameters that can be set
via a ClearType tuner utility that Microsoft makes available as a free
download from its site.^[1]
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ClearType#_note-0> The tool can also be
used for tuning Windows Vista ClearType settings. Switching off
ClearType disables ClearType completely, as expected, unless the
application uses its own ClearType controls, separate from the OS level
ones.
The tuner has wizard and advanced modes that adjust the same parameters
visually or by direct selection:
1. Cleartype on/off
2. RGB or BGR sub pixel structure, though BGR is quite rare, so the
default works for most monitors
3. Contrast
Gary
--
Gary Schnabl
2775 Honorah
Detroit MI 48209
(734) 245-3324
