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First look: new Ubuntu font boosts Linux typography

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Re: First look: new Ubuntu font boosts Linux typography

#13
post #8
post #5

"Un s a ve d D o cu m e n t 1 - g e d it"... Maybe the kerning is the next thing to improve

The problem with Linux typography isn't a lack of fonts, it's bad rendering. I can buy a font from Adobe. I can't buy a better font renderer for Linux.

When you say "bad rendering", do you mean glyph rendering (FreeType) or the layout stack?

Re: First look: new Ubuntu font boosts Linux typography

#14

Great to see! Along the same lines, can anyone shed any light on why Gnome's settings for padding around UI elements is set to such a high value? (compare to OS X, which has very minimal padding around most UI elements).

The padding is there to make the interface cleaner. It forces developers to be more concise with their components as well as making navigation easier for users.

Keep in mind Gnome is meant to be easy to use, not easy on the screen real-estate. If you want a minimalist UI, there are a million alternatives in linux land

Re: First look: new Ubuntu font boosts Linux typography

#15
post #8
post #5

"Un s a ve d D o cu m e n t 1 - g e d it"... Maybe the kerning is the next thing to improve

The problem with Linux typography isn't a lack of fonts, it's bad rendering. I can buy a font from Adobe. I can't buy a better font renderer for Linux.

... plus, the incredibly good Android "Droid" typeface is available under an open license and looks fantastic on mobile and desktop screens.

So the new Ubuntu font certainly gives them/us something unique, but I'm not yet convinced that it gives them/us greater quality (I'm an Ubuntu member, and have tried this early release).

Plus, you can install Droid on Ubuntu today: ttf-droid.

Re: First look: new Ubuntu font boosts Linux typography

#16
post #8
post #5

"Un s a ve d D o cu m e n t 1 - g e d it"... Maybe the kerning is the next thing to improve

The problem with Linux typography isn't a lack of fonts, it's bad rendering. I can buy a font from Adobe. I can't buy a better font renderer for Linux.

The funny part is that all the pieces (FreeType, HarfBuzz, Pango) are really well done, just FreeType isn't tweaked properly. :/

Re: First look: new Ubuntu font boosts Linux typography

#17
post #13
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem with Linux typography isn't a lack of fonts, it's bad rendering. I can buy a font from Adobe. I can't buy a better font renderer for Linux.

When you say "bad rendering", do you mean glyph rendering (FreeType) or the layout stack?

It sounds like he is talking about rasterization which is handled by FreeType.

Re: First look: new Ubuntu font boosts Linux typography

#18
post #5

"Un s a ve d D o cu m e n t 1 - g e d it"... Maybe the kerning is the next thing to improve

Oh wow, that's bad o_O The text in the main field, which I assume is their font, is better... but IMO still needs a bit of work, especially around "d"s and "i"s.

Re: First look: new Ubuntu font boosts Linux typography

#19
post #5

"Un s a ve d D o cu m e n t 1 - g e d it"... Maybe the kerning is the next thing to improve

Note the window title uses the bold font which it says is unfinished.

Are you sure?

> The bold weight is still being designed and isn't available yet. [ars]

and

> For now, only the regular is available for testing, bold comes next. [ http://design.canonical.com/2010/07/the-ubuntu-font/ ]

Sounds like it might be another font entirely, especially as the whole font is still in beta, but it mentions bold separately that way. But I could be wrong.

Re: First look: new Ubuntu font boosts Linux typography

#20
post #9
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From http://design.canonical.com/2010/07/the-ubuntu-font/ : > Today all Ubuntu Members will have access to a > private PPA so that they can use, test and enjoy > the font. > > The font is scheduled for completion 8th August > and this is when we aim to open the beta to everyone. So the they are opening usage to a select group prior to the actual completion of the font's design.

I think that makes sense. Perhaps the foundry asked for it. They wouldn't want to any negative comments because the work is not finished yet.

And they probably (rightfully so) fear a wave of mostly-uninformed (read: non-typographic-geek) comments.
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