[Macworld]

Post your comments for Stop squinting: Make text bigger in OS X here

[thom]

I heartily disagree with the first recommendation (increasing font size when word processing). Font size should be chosen according to the intended layout of the document, and on the assumption that someone will want to print it at some point. (Also keeping in mind that at some point it will likely be viewed by a different person on a different size/resolution screen.)

The more elegant solution (in Word at least, and presumably Pages) is to change the onscreen *view size* from 100% to something more comfortable. For example, let's say I'm using Times New Roman 11point, I would typically set my viewing percentage to 125% or 150%. That makes for comfortable onscreen reading, but doesn't mess with document layout or proportions.

[davidweeks]

The one I really want to make bigger is the iTunes Store.

KIrk, what's the trick for that one?

[kirkmc]

Quote

The one I really want to make bigger is the iTunes Store. KIrk, what's the trick for that one?

Sorry, there's none that I know of. It's too bad, because the fonts can be pretty small there.

[footagehead]

Thanks Kirk !!!!!!! Very helpful !!!
Which side of 50 are you ??? I always thought you were
a young punk ! Maybe u r putting a pic of your son in front
of the webcam !
Or maybe it was my eyes after all !

a bientôt

[icerabbit]

thom, on 04 February 2013 - 04:41 AM, said:

I heartily disagree with the first recommendation (increasing font size when word processing). Font size should be chosen according to the intended layout of the document, and on the assumption that someone will want to print it at some point. (Also keeping in mind that at some point it will likely be viewed by a different person on a different size/resolution screen.)

The more elegant solution (in Word at least, and presumably Pages) is to change the onscreen *view size* from 100% to something more comfortable. For example, let's say I'm using Times New Roman 11point, I would typically set my viewing percentage to 125% or 150%. That makes for comfortable onscreen reading, but doesn't mess with document layout or proportions.

Seconded.

Only use the font type and a size that is appropriate for the specific purposes of the document. Change zoom options, switch layout models, maybe use fit width to screen, hide unneeded toolbars, rulers etc. to help get the document visibly larger for your eyes.

But leave the fonts alone. All changing fonts does is give somebody a document in strange font size 15 or 20 that totally wastes space and then needs to be changed to another font. Maybe for a pamphlet or fax cover sheet, to make it stand out better. But otherwise. No.

Using oversized fonts is like typing ALL CAPS. I know some retired people who never learned to type, who hunt and peck short computer messages with one finger, and I forgive them, but you're not that old

[icerabbit]

kirkmc, on 04 February 2013 - 06:18 AM, said:

Quote

The one I really want to make bigger is the iTunes Store. KIrk, what's the trick for that one?

Sorry, there's none that I know of. It's too bad, because the fonts can be pretty small there.

The other issue is that Apple in its infinite wisdom, besides using smaller fonts in various places, also has been using more and more grey throughout their site (and operating system for that matter), which seriously reduces readability. They should know better from an accessibility standpoint.

[Fixx]

I have set a simple key command (cmd-2) that sets zoom in Word to 200%. Easy and useful. Also, some word processors allow to use default documents which have right zoom saved in.

In browser front I really like Chrome because it REMEMBERS zoom setting for each site! Wonderful. When you come back next day the zoom is right already.

[cincyflygrrl]

I'm on the retired side of 65. I agree with Thom about font size selection in word processing. Assuming we're writing for someone other than ourselves, I figure I stand a better chance of endearing my reader by using a pleasing format. Use the Zoom drop down (in Word or Excel, anyway) to make composition easier on old eyes.

My real usability issue is with MacMail. There are buttons to increase and decrease the viewing size when reading email. But as far as I can determine, there is no way to increase viewing size in MacMail when composing email. I'm not going to send 16 pt. Verdana missives just so I can read what I'm writing.

[papafrank]

Some of this like the Message List font setting only work in Classic view.

Bigger fonts in Mail and Messages
Other apps offer font and size settings too. Apple’s Mail has a slew of options in its Fonts & Colors preference pane (Mail > Preferences > Fonts & Colors). You can choose a different font and size for the message list, and for messages, as well as for any fixed-width text.

[technologist]

Quote

I'm on the retired side of 65. I agree with Thom about font size selection in word processing. Assuming we're writing for someone other than ourselves, I figure I stand a better chance of endearing my reader by using a pleasing format. Use the Zoom drop down (in Word or Excel, anyway) to make composition easier on old eyes. My real usability issue is with MacMail. There are buttons to increase and decrease the viewing size when reading email. But as far as I can determine, there is no way to increase viewing size in MacMail when composing email. I'm not going to send 16 pt. Verdana missives just so I can read what I'm writing.

If you send Plain Text email, you can set your composition font to whatever size you like, and the recipient will get mail in whatever font and size their mail reader defaults to.

[cincyflygrrl]

Quote

If you send Plain Text email, you can set your composition font to whatever size you like, and the recipient will get mail in whatever font and size their mail reader defaults to.

Interesting, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks.

[MacShine]

OS X is great other than tiny fonts syndrome. What I do for FIREFOX to make the bookmarks bar readable is to use an ad-on called Theme Font & Size Changer. This is a great add-on so you can change those tiny bookmarks bar fonts to something really great. Wish they had the same for Opera, Chrome and Safari. Actually, I wish Apple would make re-size a system-wide choice. The fonts are reduculously small, as though we were back in 1995 and had a CRT monitor set to 800x resolution, or something.

As soon as Apple updates the OS to fix the color rendering problem with HD4000 graphics, I will switch to my 27" monitor by Samsung, with HDMI. See the HDMI color rendering is just too off -- too light to be use currently, so use of DVI monitors or VGA old school monitors are required. Love the Mac Mini other than this rather large oversight when they let it go out with two major rendering problems. First problem of flicker is fixed, but the color washout remains. Maybe a fix is in the works -- Please Apple We like the computers, but fix the HDMI.

[bluntedge]

Kirk I agree with your assessment why in the heck does Apple make their fonts so small. I am almost sixty and its a real pain in the butt trying to see the fonts in Itunes. I would rather go to my ipad and look at Itunes in there instead of going to my Mac.

Let's mount a drive to get Apple to correct this problem