Absolute and relative font sizes; was RE: Response to comments

[Robert Rasmussen]

If I may summarize, and correct just slightly...

An HTML author can choose font sizes from 1 to 7, either absolute ("5") or
relative to the current working size ("-2"); but they are still always
DEPENDENT on the browser-owner's choice of preferred font size. The
browser-owner, taking into effect screen resolution, monitor size, limited
eyesight, and personal preference, can set preferred font size, and the HTML
author, using that as a starting point, can make headlines larger and legal
fine print smaller.

You might compare it to the volume control on your TV - you set it to your
preferred comfortable listening level, and hope that program providers don't
drive it too far one way or the other.

What is NOT possible in HTML, up until CSS, is PRECISE control of font size -
making certain text display at 12 point (just like TV programmers can't make
your TV produce exactly 65 decibels). That is ONE of the things authors can do
with CSS. As has been well said, if your focus is on providing readable
content, then typographical precision is not necessary. But there ARE
circumstances where it will prove very useful, and this will (eventually)
allow web browsers to be used in new and interesting ways.

An example comes to mind which uses bitmap size rather than font size. Suppose
you are publishing a map in bitmap form, for a use to print, and you want one
inch to represent one mile. Not knowing the resolution (dots per inch) of the
user's printer, you can't make it always come out right. But with CSS, if you
can say a particular bitmap should have a size of 4 inches, instead of 1200
pixels (for instance), you can accomplish your goal. 

Regards,
....Bob Rasmussen,   President,   Rasmussen Software, Inc.

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