On Tuesday 07 August 2007 20:37, Rick Lecoat wrote: > > And I always wonder how many people, particularly the older generation > who (without wanting to generalise too much) may not be quite as tech- > savvy as their kids, actually have no idea that the default text size > can even be adjusted, and possibly look at browser-default text and > think "That text looks a bit big and clunking. But I assume that there's > nothing I can do about except use the text resizing control in IE." >
It is because most computer training courses don't teach the correct skills, so these "bad skills" get passed on. The old 14" - 15" CRT monitors had resolutions around 800 x 600 or even 640 x 480 because the graphics cards and manufacturing techniques allowed these resolutions. 800 x 600 with the default fonts set by Windows gave fonts approxiamtely 12 points in size when compared to printed material. When people moved to 17" CRT the resolutions moved to 1024 x 768 or stayed at 800 x 600 to get fonts slightly larger than standard printed material. If people were having problems seeing textual menus or content they were advised to "change the resolution" by "expert users". Larger 19" and 21" monitors were seen as (expensive) aids for visually impaired users who needed larger font. Now we are moving into the LCD age, either 4:3 or 16:9 ratios, but with higher pixels densities than early monitors. Most computer trainers still teach users to change monitor resolution because the training material has not been updated to most effectively use new technology. They don't have the skills or knowledge about the usability options in all modern Operating Systems. You've seen it in Windows, but ignored it, go on guess where! It is the tab before Screen Settings called Appearance, but everyone uses the Screen Settings Tab and changes the resolution. With LCD monitors the best screen appearance is at the native resolution, the maximum number of pixels or wires built into the monitor. If the fonts are too small for your eyes, change the appearance. Firstly, try "Large Fonts", then "Extra Large Fonts" and finally "Advanced" where you can specify fonts, font sizes, icon sizes and much more. If these settings are changed, many people think the screen resolution has been changed - and are amazed when shown the 17" LCD is actually running at 1280 x 1024, the native resolution. They are even more amazed when shown browser zooming! How do I know these things? First hand experience! I teach IT to adults and have done for the better part of a decade. I have changed CRT & LCD monitors to native resolution with fonts and icons increased in size in classrooms used by multiple people, including teachers systems, and found that the systems stayed that way for weeks or even months because they were "usable" by everyone. Changes only occurred after I had pointed this out to teachers and students - they then knew how to set-up the system so it worked for them! Oh, and if your eyesight is diminishing, or the "default" appearance is hard to see, do yourself a favour - get yours eyes checked. You will be amazed at the lack of eye strain and headaches after getting glasses - even using your new found skills customising the monitor appearance. -- Regards, Steve Bathurst Computer Solutions URL: www.bathurstcomputers.com.au e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mobile: 0407 224 251 .... _ ... (0)> ... / / \ .. / / . ) .. V__/_ Linux Powered! Registered Linux User #355382 ********************************************* "If you read the same things as others and say the same things they say, then you're perceived as intelligent. I'm a bit more independent and radical and consider intelligence the ability to think about matters on your own and ask a lot of skeptical questions to get at the real truth, not just what you're told it is." Apple's Inventor - Steve Wozniak 2006 ********************************************* ******************************************************************* List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *******************************************************************
