• Text enlargement, websites and folder font size

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    #478736

    New to Win 7 and a Dell U2412M monitor, native 1920×1200. After a few days, to save my aged eyes I set the display for 125% and that’s better. This process has led to a few questions:

    1) why does the text/layout at some websites remain small, while most others are enlarged (e.g., Yahoo) ?

    2) is there any way in Win 7, such as in a Win settings file, to make the enlargement something between 100 and 125%? The latter is more than I need or find entirely useful.

    3) with my text-based email client, Sylpheed, I asked the developer about a font size question and he noted that while the message list size setting is controlled within the app, the folder list font size is controlled by a system-wide file, gtkrc. I’ve taken a look at it (but haven’t touched, tho it’s the sort of thing I’ve done occasionally with apps). What I’m wondering about the setting that the folder font size follows is what else it controls. Anyone know?

    Thanks,

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    • #1295942

      I don’t know if this will do exactly what you wish, but clicking Ctrl and + will increase font size in your browser, and Crtl and – will decrease it.

    • #1295943

      Also, holding down the CTRL key while rolling the mouse wheel will also increase/decrease magnification depending on which way the wheel is rolled. Also works in Microsoft Office apps.

      Jerry

    • #1295948

      If you visit Control Panel -> Display, you can change the Windows font size to 125% or 150% (it will also increased the size of other items, so test it and see if it suits your needs).

    • #1295961

      Thanks, I’m aware of these on-the-fly adjustments and was interested in understanding what’s going on with those websites. Questions 2 & 3 are aimed at digging a little deeper to see if something more lasting is to be found (ruirib: please reread my post).

      • #1295970

        Thanks, I’m aware of these on-the-fly adjustments and was interested in understanding what’s going on with those websites. Questions 2 & 3 are aimed at digging a little deeper to see if something more lasting is to be found (ruirib: please reread my post).

        In the same screen where you can set the text size to 125% to 150%, there is a link to set a custom text size. You can click there and use the dialog window shown in the picture, to drag to the value you want:

        28823-Capturecustomdpi

        Just click over any part of the window and drag to the left or right, to get the percentage that suits you.

        • #1295983

          Thanks, I’d missed that and it’s what I was looking for. Now, what’s the deal with some websites. Do they code them to override the OS settings?

    • #1295985

      Now, what’s the deal with some websites. Do they code them to override the OS settings?

      Sort of…the browser pays attention to what the website is dictating. Somewhere in the browser settings there usually is something to check that tells the browser to ignore what is specified by the web page. For I.E. its in internet options>accessibility.

    • #1295986

      I believe some web site developers just don’t follow standards. I guess if we can get most to do what we expect, that’s the best we can ask for. Glad Rui was able to come up with a suggestion that will work for you.

      • #1295993

        A website is what its designer wants it to be. There are usability principles, but there are no standards for things as font size. That is left to the designer or programmer to decide.

    • #1295995

      Yes, as a long-time Opera user I know a bit about standards. 🙁 The limit with accessibility adjustments is that they apply to all sites, where the problem is with a relative few (this one is good). Yahoo is so far the worst I’ve seen, at least with Opera and FF – IE9 is fine; its Homepage, Sports, My Yahoo and many more look even smaller than the monitor’s native text). I wrote them, but wondered what the story is. Thanks for your help.

      P.S. Just noticed that Opera’s website – using Opera (but not IE9) – is one of those violators.

      • #1296002

        You did not say what browser you are using. Some browsers can be made to individually change the font and zoom settings. With Firefox, you can download an extension called “No Squint” that does this.

        I have tried several DPI settings including 125, 150 and 159% and find the best scaling from other app window sizes occurs with 100 or 150% You may find that when other app windows open they may be too small or too large with an in between setting like say 112% You might want to try leaving your DPI at 100% and setting font sizes within Windows using the “Advanced Appearance Settings” in the “Personalization” menu from Control Panel or by right clicking the desktop and select Personalize. Then choose “Window Color Custom” and “Advanced Appearance Settings”. There all kinds visual settings can be tweaked including font sizes.

    • #1296010

      Opera 12 (and also checked IE9 and FF6). I started at 125% and am at 117% right now, which seems in the ballpark for now.For me, it’s a trade off between font size and screen brightness and how each works with different apps, as I have hazel eyes and prefer to do computer work in natural window light during the day and darkness at night.

      Thanks for the suggestions. I was aware of that box, but will have to devote some time to try the various pieces.

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