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Webdesigners: please make text readable

contrastrebellion.com

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Re: Webdesigners: please make text readable

#71

Post by [deleted] »

erikpukinskis wrote: post #35
pilif wrote: post #22

Even worse (or probably related) than the general contrast problem is the absolutely crazy suggestion to use -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; in your CSS ( http://maxvoltar.com/archive/-webkit-font-smoothing ) I've yet to come across an instance where antialiased is better than using subpixel hinting. In addition, I think it's crazy that the browser would allow a site designer to alter such a highly OS- or even m…

Yeah, well... you know... that's just, like, your opinion, man. I think subpixel hinting looks terrible. I think letterforms are really interesting and beautiful and I actually want to see them when I use the web. That said, I do agree that web sites shouldn't override the browser settings for body text. But turning off hinting of titles is probably reasonable.

[deleted]

Re: Webdesigners: please make text readable

#72

Post by [deleted] »

arnemart wrote: post #29
pilif wrote: post #22

Even worse (or probably related) than the general contrast problem is the absolutely crazy suggestion to use -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; in your CSS ( http://maxvoltar.com/archive/-webkit-font-smoothing ) I've yet to come across an instance where antialiased is better than using subpixel hinting. In addition, I think it's crazy that the browser would allow a site designer to alter such a highly OS- or even m…

Yes, a thousand times yes. Even worse are those who use -webkit-text-stroke: 1px transparent; which absolutely _kills_ scrolling performance.

[deleted]

Re: Webdesigners: please make text readable

#73

Post by Terretta »

FilterJoe wrote: post #41
Terretta wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd be curious for thoughts from HN readers on my own site's readability. Looking at: http://www.filterjoe.com/2009/03/23/site-design-for-reading/ I find the comments and list items (within an item) need more line height for comfortable web reading. Body paragraph line height seems fine.

Both font size and line height are smaller for comments and list items. Are you saying you prefer more line height (without font size change)? Or do you generally prefer both line height and font size in lists/comments to be identical to body text? Or perhaps something half way in between, with line height just nudged up a little but not as much as body text? I really appreciate the feedback - thanks.

Personally, I'd prefer the line height to be the same for all the mentioned items for a consistent vertical rhythm.

In any case, I know the line height was small enough that I noticed list items and comments felt cramped even before I saw you'd asked for feedback.

In this example, regardless of font size or face, the vertical rhythm follows the same beat:

http://www.alistapart.com/d/settingtypeontheweb/example.html

Another example (using third step headings for section spacing) showing smaller font on the same baseline grid:

http://www.thesheep.co.uk/examples/vertical-rhythm/

A calculator to help make the CSS:

http://topfunky.com/baseline-rhythm-calculator/

Re: Webdesigners: please make text readable

#75

Post by trustfundbaby »

So glad you use Reeder in your example ... I bought the Reeder app on Sunday and the low contrast thing really put me off (among other things). The app looks really sexy, but sitting there reading tons of articles when you're struggling with the low contrast headlines, can get tiring.

Re: Webdesigners: please make text readable

#76

Post by wingo »

FilterJoe wrote: post #28

The author's focus on just 2 things, contrast and font, are not only overly simplistic, but are not even universally true for all people. For my eyes, reading high contrast black on white all day causes eye fatigue, while HN level of contrast (and the contrast on my site) causes less fatigue. I have no idea what percentage of people feel that way, but clearly some do. I am a huge proponent of designing web sites for…

I like your site's readability. I also like the body font. It might be my default text font, dunno. But it seems that the lines of <li> elements are oddly compressed.

Re: Webdesigners: please make text readable

#78

Post by FilterJoe »

Terretta wrote: post #73
FilterJoe wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Both font size and line height are smaller for comments and list items. Are you saying you prefer more line height (without font size change)? Or do you generally prefer both line height and font size in lists/comments to be identical to body text? Or perhaps something half way in between, with line height just nudged up a little but not as much as body text? I really appreciate the feedback - thanks.

Personally, I'd prefer the line height to be the same for all the mentioned items for a consistent vertical rhythm. In any case, I know the line height was small enough that I noticed list items and comments felt cramped even before I saw you'd asked for feedback. In this example, regardless of font size or face, the vertical rhythm follows the same beat: http://www.alistapart.com/d/settingtypeontheweb/example.html A…

Just made some changes to line height that moved most of the way in the direction you suggested. You're right - it looks better. Thanks!

Re: Webdesigners: please make text readable

#80

Post by FilterJoe »

wingo wrote: post #76
FilterJoe wrote: post #28

The author's focus on just 2 things, contrast and font, are not only overly simplistic, but are not even universally true for all people. For my eyes, reading high contrast black on white all day causes eye fatigue, while HN level of contrast (and the contrast on my site) causes less fatigue. I have no idea what percentage of people feel that way, but clearly some do. I am a huge proponent of designing web sites for…

I like your site's readability. I also like the body font. It might be my default text font, dunno. But it seems that the lines of <li> elements are oddly compressed.

Thanks. Terreta mentioned the same thing about compressed line heights on lists so I just changed it. What do you think now?
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