[WEB4LIB] Different Fonts for web pages vs printed page.

[P.A. Gantt]

I promised myself that I wouldn't respond anymore
except but one-on-ones but....

(I do have Thursday nite class and lecture to prepare for)

David *does* make some good
distinctions between online and off-line... however...

I still maintain that most (not all) sans serifs are
better for readability period vs. serifs  be it on or off.

The fonting of sans that are not good make
no distinction between the "a" and the "bat and bat"
"a" Also the *bigger* and *bolder* you make your
font sizing/formatting the better.

Another consideration is putting too many java-type
and animated .gifs on your pages that increase eye
perceptual problems as well as increase eye strain.

Think of breaking up your pages to no longer than
1 1/2 screens per view.
Consider graphics left and text right.
Consider <alt> tags for graphics.
Consider shorter lines to view.
Consider fewer  important points per page.
Believe it or not three is a good number... at the most 5-7.

Do these and other presentation/readability tips and
you will reach a wider audience, keep in mind ADA
Law requirements, and be a more caring individual re:
others readability perceptual challenges.

Again, this would make an *excellent* thesis or
dissertation topic for someone(s)).

As a former grad. student pointed out on this list
even those who generally don't have dyslexic symptomology...
in the main... the spinning/reeling twirly gig effect of print
with serifs can happen to us all as our eyes tire or age.

What I am suggesting is *definitely* non-traditional, revolutionary
in fact. Imagine how studying this further could really *change*
the way educators, librarians, and publishing companies think
about thinking, readability, and perception!

As our baby boomers age you will "see" what I mean ;^}

I did my MS/GTA thing in one calendar year on a heavily
technology-oriented area. I lost 50% of my eye sight
that was not 20/20 to start with in this one year.

So let's think about this area some more.
Add to the knowledge re: readability issues that will
eventually effect us all.

To save the list more of this increasingly elongated
thread see me off-list.

I am busily collecting more and more accessibility utilities,
white papers, and links. If you would like to add to this
metasource send things my way:

pgantt at icx.net

I will be glad to post to my personal site and add
to my lists.

TIA

P.A.
--
P.A. Gantt, Computer Science Technology Instructor
http://user.icx.net/~pgantt/etech/
Electronic Media Design and Support Homepage
http://user.icx.net/~pgantt/
<mailto:pagantt at technologist.com>
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