James (my manager at work) is a genius.
Do you use Windows XP?
Do you want it to look 1,000 times better?
The answer: ClearType.
By default, Windows has this setting turned off. Why? I don’t know. Maybe so you envy the Apple owners in your circle of friends? I’ve always wonered why, when I use a mac, the text is ’softer’, the fonts are smoother, the graphics seem clearer. It just looks better. Until now, I thought it was just something that Apple did right in OSX. It wouldn’t be the only thing, that’s for sure.
“I don’t get it … look better, how, Brandon?”
Good question. Here is a visual example:
“How do I turn it on, Brandon?”
- Right click on the desktop and select ‘Properties’.
- Select the ‘Appearance’ tab and press the ‘Effects…’ button.
- Check the box for ‘Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts’, then select ‘ClearType’ in the dropdown list.
- Close the Effects dialog by clicking ‘OK’ and click ‘Apply’ to complete the process.
For more information, see Microsoft’s site about ClearType. They have a web interface and a PowerToy application to turn this setting on, as well as the method documented above.
I love ClearType. Everything seems clearer (hah), and I won’t be turning it off any time soon.
February 9th, 2005 at 9:48 pm
ClearType - pubarso.com
Night and Day.
Figured I’d link this from lr2, as well. All the credit for finding this gem goes to James. Three cheers for James.
Do you use Windows XP?
Do you want it to look 1,000 times better?
The answer: ClearType.
By def…
February 10th, 2005 at 2:02 pm
… Wow.
Thanks, B!
February 10th, 2005 at 2:30 pm
I dunno, looking at those screenshots, the text just looks blurrier with “ClearType” on. Actually, I thought you were being sarcastic at first, because of the blurriness of the text.
February 10th, 2005 at 8:30 pm
Tinuviel, The only area I’ve noticed it being blurry was on the desktop with the names of shortcuts and such. Though I don’t know if it is blurrier since I really think that it is just a dropshadow that is placed of some kind. After that I noticed that text is bit bold and I like it so. I find it to be better though I don’t know about smooth.
Thanks for the tip
February 11th, 2005 at 7:38 am
One thing I didn’t point out .. this really only makes a difference on LCD panels. And it’s really just a matter of preference — some people like it, others hate it.