Questions about look and feel.

[Diane Gaskill]

Hello Frank,

While I agree with some of the things Kelly said, I worked in the video
industry for seven years, specifically with CCTV cameras and CRT monitors,
and I do not quite agree with her explanation of how a CRT connected to a
computer works.  On a TV screen, the picture is divided into two overlapping
frames (the feature is called interlacing) and does appear to oscillate if
the refresh rate is at 60 Hz and if you look closely enough. Its called
525/60/2:1 and is a very low definition picture.  But the TV industry is now
working toward high definition TV (HDTV) which uses more scan lines per
picture and a higher refresh rate to make the picture appear more "solid."

The picture on a CRT computer screen does not use the interlace method. It
uses a single frame (non interlaced) that is redrawn in a linear fashion
from top to bottom at a refresh rate from 60 to 85 Hz or more.  When using a
CRT in a room with fluorescent lighting, many people can see what is called
"flicker" on the screen, because the fluorescent lights also operate at 60
Hz.  To correct that problem, manufacturers of video cards, drivers, and
CRTs have included higher refresh rates that users can choose. The higher
frequency you choose, the more "solid" the picture appears.

Your question regarding fonts is a good one and has been asked many times on
this list over the 14 years I have been on it.  I don't know about fonts
which "reek of leadership," but there are fonts that have been designed for
on-screen use. I do know that several fonts do seem to scream "Important" to
the reader.  Arial Black

My pubs department recently addressed the font issues when we switched from
a primarily PDF-for-printing to a primarily PDF-for-online-use paradigm.  We
searched the net and found reports from several readability studies on this.
The studies tested and rated several fonts for on screen readability and
user-friendliness.  Although the results differed some, fonts such as
Verdana and Tahoma rated high.

I have an email that includes a table that compares several fonts, gives the
results, and includes the links to the studies.  However the email is in
HTML format and this list accepts only plain text.  I will forward that
email to you directly. If anyone else wants a copy, let me know.

HTH

Diane Gaskill
Hitachi Data Systems

==========================
-----Original Message-----
From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com
[mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com]On Behalf Of Dodd, Frank J
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 10:50 AM
To: framers at lists.frameusers.com
Subject: RE: Questions about look and feel.


Thank you for the info. Very informative. Now I know why my eyes burn at
the end of the day..its those damned rays!

Where does credibility, authority and believability fit in with all of
this?  Which font? I want a font that, when viewed, reeks of leadership!

Frank



-----Original Message-----
From: Kelly McDaniel [mailto:kmcdaniel at pavtech.com]
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 9:21 AM
To: framers at lists.frameusers.com
Subject: RE: Questions about look and feel.

OK, you've worn down my resistance and I must register my observations.

Reading on the computer screen is different from reading a printed page.
Reading on an LDC or TFT display is slightly different than reading on a
CRT. (A CRT oscillates at, or very, very near the frequency of the
electric supply current. LCD and TFT displays do not oscillate, or at
least they display a more intense image persistance.)

The printed page depends on reflected light. The background of the page
reflects all wavelengths (rendered white...most of the time, anyway) and
the print on the page blocks all wavelengths (rendered black...same
proviso as background) of light. On the printed page, serifs serve the
purpose of making the outline of each printed character distinct from
the background by creating a longer border between the printed character
and the background. This provides the eye more information whereby it
can decode the character. Once again, the printed page depends on
reflected light, and how well the characters block the reflection
(render resolution.) There is a spanner (disturbance variable) in the
works, however, and the spanner is this: The publisher has no control
over the quality, color, or amount of light. Serifs help resolve this
issue. Reading glasses help even more.

Reading on a computer display differs from reading the printed page in
this respect: The light is direct, in contrast to reflected light. Light
emanates from the display. The characters and the background both block
all wavelengths of light that are not contained in their respective
colors. This difference is an important consideration when deciding to
use serif or sans serif fonts. Reflection, refraction, and ocular
persistence come into play.

In general, serif fonts are "better" for printed works. Sans serif fonts
are "better" for screen displays, but, I could be wrong...regards,
Kelly.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com
[mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Stuart Rogers
> Sent: 2008-05-09 10:40
> To: Mike Wickham
> Cc: framers at lists.frameusers.com
> Subject: Re: Questions about look and feel.
>
> Mike Wickham wrote:
> >> 2.  Do people think that a Sans Serif font improves legibility for
body
> >> text?
> >
> > Using a sans serif font for body text greatly reduces reader
comprehension.
> > Obtain a copy of Colin Wheildon's _Type and Layout: Are You
Communicating or
> > Just Making Pretty Shapes?_ The book contains actual studies showing
the
> > effects on readability and comprehension of serif vs. sans serif
fonts,
> > color type, bold and italic type, justified paragraphs, etc. It's a
> > fantastic book:
> >
> >
http://www.amazon.com/Type-Layout-Communicating-Making-Pretty/dp/1875750
223
> >
>
>
> After reading both the positive and (very) negative reviews on Amazon,
I
> put a hold on a copy from the library rather than rush to buy.  Sounds

> like it could be either a well-researched factual treatment, or an
> opinion piece supported by dubious methodology.  Also sounds like it
is
> geared to advertising rather than book-length text, and I very much
> doubt that what's good for the former applies uniformly to the latter.
>
> But I shall reserve judgement until I've actually read the thing!
>
> Thanks for the reference, Mike,
>
> --
> Stuart Rogers
> Technical Communicator
> Phoenix Geophysics Limited
> Toronto, ON, Canada
> +1 (416) 491-7340 x 325
>
> srogers phoenix-geophysics com
>
> "A man's screech should exceed his rasp, or what's a violin for?"
>
> --another Rogers Original
> _______________________________________________
>
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