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Google releases its new Google Sans Flex font as open source

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Re: Google releases its new Google Sans Flex font as open source

#21

Post by quantummagic »

munchler wrote: post #19
lucb1e wrote: post #9

Where possible, I've stopped picking fonts that don't distinguish lowercase l and uppercase I. Words virtually always have redundancy (or context in the sentence) and it's fine in 98% of cases, but too often someone sends a token, password, name, or other string where you need to copy it out to another application to see it and just... why? Why bother? I/O test for Sans Flex: https://snipboard.io/wXCQq5.jpg It passes…

That’s a lowercase “L” vs. uppercase “I” for those of you as confused as I was.

He inspired me to uninstall Bitstream-Vera-Sans fonts from my system so that his post was no longer a prime example of the problem.

Re: Google releases its new Google Sans Flex font as open source

#23

Post by CharlesW »

elevaet wrote: post #10

Are there any great variable and open serif web fonts around?

Lots! Start with the Google Fonts browser. This link should take you directly to a variable + serif list, and from there you can drill down into sub-styles, focus more on those with more axis, more styles, etc.: https://fonts.google.com/?categoryFilters=Technology:%2FTech...

Re: Google releases its new Google Sans Flex font as open source

#24

Post by tln »

munchler wrote: post #19
lucb1e wrote: post #9

Where possible, I've stopped picking fonts that don't distinguish lowercase l and uppercase I. Words virtually always have redundancy (or context in the sentence) and it's fine in 98% of cases, but too often someone sends a token, password, name, or other string where you need to copy it out to another application to see it and just... why? Why bother? I/O test for Sans Flex: https://snipboard.io/wXCQq5.jpg It passes…

That’s a lowercase “L” vs. uppercase “I” for those of you as confused as I was.

Thanks, the "1" does look different. The font does have font-variant-numeric: slashed-zero

Re: Google releases its new Google Sans Flex font as open source

#26

Post by hbn »

copperx wrote: post #11

Great, but is it free of DEI? can it be used in official documents?

I assume this is a shot at the White House but announcing an "anti-racist font" is totally up Google's alley

I know I've seen Mozilla proudly pat themselves on the back in their announcement of anti-racist Firefox themes

Re: Google releases its new Google Sans Flex font as open source

#27

Post by Rebelgecko »

hbn wrote: post #26
copperx wrote: post #11

Great, but is it free of DEI? can it be used in official documents?

I assume this is a shot at the White House but announcing an "anti-racist font" is totally up Google's alley I know I've seen Mozilla proudly pat themselves on the back in their announcement of anti-racist Firefox themes

Google has been "anti-woke" since January or so. See the shutdown of groups for disabled employee, Dept of War "Manifest Destiny" contract, etc

Re: Google releases its new Google Sans Flex font as open source

#28

Post by torbengee »

I've tried so many fonts in my coding life, but I think I've finally found my forever font: JetBrains Mono. Crisp, all characters distinguishable, slightly larger lowercase for better reading ...

I recently compared it once more to others – https://www.programmingfonts.org/ makes it easy to narrow down to your favourites one by one ... JetBrains Mono still wins. :)

Re: Google releases its new Google Sans Flex font as open source

#29

Post by freedomben »

I don't love this new font as others have already pointed out, there's not enough distinction between some letters[1].

However, the general movement toward redistributable and license-friendly fonts is wonderful and I'm very happy to see it continue. As someone who has had to deal with font licensing hell in the past, having these available is a huge improvement. Even just setting up my personal linux systems and having actually usable fonts available is a massive improvement, before even getting into trying to build apps/websites/etc. Many thanks to Google and any others who are releasing these!

[1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46247559 [2]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46247693

Re: Google releases its new Google Sans Flex font as open source

#30

Post by cloudflare728 »

munchler wrote: post #19
lucb1e wrote: post #9

Where possible, I've stopped picking fonts that don't distinguish lowercase l and uppercase I. Words virtually always have redundancy (or context in the sentence) and it's fine in 98% of cases, but too often someone sends a token, password, name, or other string where you need to copy it out to another application to see it and just... why? Why bother? I/O test for Sans Flex: https://snipboard.io/wXCQq5.jpg It passes…

That’s a lowercase “L” vs. uppercase “I” for those of you as confused as I was.

Why would someone spend years developing a front where you can't tell the difference between Il or 0O? Doesn't it hurt their ego at personal level?
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