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RE: font preference

for

From: Glenda Watson Hyatt
Date: May 14, 2002 1:29PM

Interesting survey results -- both surveys. Wonder if amount of time at the
computer would have any impact, ie all day versus a few moments for a
survey.

Glenda

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark Newhouse [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2002 1:02 PM
> To: <EMAIL REMOVED>
> Subject: Re: font preference
>
>
> on 5/14/02 12:09 PM, Glenda Watson Hyatt at <EMAIL REMOVED> wrote:
>
> > Has there been any research done into which font type is more
> readable on
> > the screen -- serif or sans serif? Of course, css should be
> used to set the
> > font type so that users can override ut. However, it would be
> nice to have
> > css use the "most prefered" option. Personally, I have always
> used Arial or
> > Helvetica. Simply wondering if there is any research suggesting the
> > contrary. Thanks.
>
> This one was published in March, 2001. It examined readability and font
> preferences for older people (ages 62-83).
>
> http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/3W/fontSR.htm
>
> Conclusions are quoted below...
>
> CONCLUSIONS
>
> Several observations can be made from these findings. First,
> 14-point fonts
> were found to be more legible, promote faster reading, and were
> preferred to
> the 12-point fonts. Second, at the 14-point size, serif fonts tended to
> support faster reading. Serif fonts, however, were generally
> preferred less
> than the sans serif fonts. Third, there was essentially no difference
> between the computer fonts and the print fonts. Thus, in light of these
> results, it is recommended to use 14-point sized fonts for
> presenting online
> text to older readers. However, a compromise must be made in
> deciding which
> font type to use. If speed of reading is paramount, then serif fonts are
> recommended. However, if font preference is important, then sans
> serif fonts
> are recommended.
>
> HTH,
>
> --Mark Newhouse
> We put the "blah" in blog...
> <http://homepage.mac.com/iblog/>;
>
>
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