Windows users: you may be painfully missing out when it comes to the quality of on-screen text. Does text on your screen look like the screenshot below?
The type shown above features ugly, jagged edges. Who wants to look at that all day long? Through the use of a Windows feature called ClearType, you can take advantage of smooth fonts. These fonts have smooth edges that blend into the background, creating much more attractive, readable characters.
ClearType is a free download from Microsoft.
- Using Internet Explorer, visit the ClearType page on Microsoft’s site.
- Check the box to turn on ClearType
- Follow the on-screen directions to fine-tune your font settings.
Here is a sample of typography rendered with ClearType on Windows XP:
When you first enable ClearType, it will take a while for your eyes to adjust to the new font settings. Give yourself a while to get settled, and you’ll realize what an advantage it is to use font smoothing.
