I Could Use An Opinion

Post by **tex** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 3:16 pm

Hi All,

Before I settle on the final font selection for the book I'm writing, I could use some opinions, so that I don't pick a font and a font size that's not easy to read. Since MC often causes vision problems, and many of us tend to have less than perfect vision, anyway, I had originally planned to use a fairly large font. It looked great on the monitor screen, but when I print it out, it's way too large, (at least it seems too large to me). Therefore, I decided to convert it to a more common font, with a smaller size.

If anyone has the time to fiddle with this, you can click on the following link, (it's a rich text file), and if your computer doesn't automatically open it, just select "Word", when your computer asks you what it should use to open it. If you don't have MS Word on your computer, whatever word processor you use, should open it, (I use WordPerfect).

Anyway, just print out the file, and see what you think. The book will be 6x9, in case you're wondering why it doesn't print all the way across the page, so what you see, should match what will appear in the book, (unless your word processor re-formats it). The font is Times New Roman, 12 characters per inch.

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/image ... n%2012.rtf

Here's the way I originally set it up, but IMO, this font is way to large, and will cause the book to be much thicker than necessary, (thereby wasting a lot of paper). Any comments or criticism are welcome, of course. This font is Palatino Linotype, 13 characters per inch.

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/image ... e%2013.rtf

I'm not trying to find the perfect font, I just want to use one that is large enough to be easy on the eyes, and the font itself is easy to read. Much of the text is technical enough, and/or contains a lot of detailed information in a small amount of space, that I certainly don't want anyone to have to strain, in order to read it, and understand it.

Thanks,
Tex

Martha · Post by **Martha** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 3:27 pm

Times New Roman 12 is my favorite font. I find it large enough and easy to read. I wouldn't want it any smaller, though.

The other, Palatino Linotype 13, seems to give too much white space horizontally, and that makes it a little less pleasant to read.

I prefer the horizontal-vertical ratio of Times New Roman because it is easier on the eye.

That's my two cents, Tex.

Post by **tex** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 3:43 pm

That was fast.

And I certainly can't argue with your reasoning.

Thanks,
Tex

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 3:44 pm

Tex I would also review the studies on readability and legibility as they relate to a serif or sans serif font. This appears to be quite a factor in eye fatigue etc.

http://alexpoole.info/which-are-more-le ... -typefaces

Post by **tex** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 4:38 pm

Joe,

IMO, reading about font selection is a lot like Chinese food - no matter how much I read about it, my appetite is never satiated.

I've read other articles on this, and as far as I can tell, despite all the claims about minute details, and what they might confer to readability, most readers never actually notice the presence or absence of serifs. Instead, we focus on the words themselves, and tests prove that most people may not even notice the spelling, as long as all the characters are there, in each word. Therefore, the easier it is to "capture" each word, as we scan the text, the faster we can read, and the better our comprehension. That's why I feel that the general perception that we get when we read text using a certain font, is more important than the details of the font. Character shape, spacing, size, and all sorts of factors are captured in a millisecond, and yet the only information that actually registers on our brain, (and the only thing that counts), are the words.

That said, as far as printed books are concerned, my own impression is that serif fonts provide better character spacing relationships, and "fluidity", and are therefore better for text, and interiors, and sans serif fonts probably work best for display type, headings, covers, etc.

That's why I asked for opinions, since I feel that this is more of a perception issue, than a technical one.

Internet discussion boards, of course, usually use san serif fonts, (since the text is displayed on a monitor screen, resulting in loss of detail in the serifs, in many cases). I'm guessing that books formatted for e-reading devices probably look best with a san serif font, also, but that's just a guess, since I don't use such devices, (at least not for reading books).

Thanks,
Tex

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 5:51 pm

IMO the Times New Roman 12 makes for easier reading.

Tex - Glad to hear you're getting closer to being done with your book! Although I do read for educational purposes, my preference is to be outdoors doing yard work, gardening, and even shoveling snow rather than sitting indoors reading. I'll be making a comfy place for myself on my deck where I can read.

Paula

mturn2 · Post by **mturn2** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 6:12 pm

Hi Tex. I always prepare my documents with Times New Roman 12 pt font. Glad you are ok with such horrific storms yesterday.

Can't wait for the book to be released.

Sondra

nancyl · Post by **nancyl** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 6:31 pm

Hi Tex,
I also agree that Times New Roman 12 is very easy to read. Pretty much what I used for correspondence, reports, etc. when I was working.

Nancy

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 5:40 am

I am a Times New Roman 12 believer. Use it for mostly everything I do even though the business world is now saying it is going by the board to a sarif or arial font.

Go with your gut!

Love, Maggie

Post by **tex** » Thu Apr 05, 2012 8:05 am

Thanks everyone,

That clinches it. I believe I'll go with the Times New Roman 12.

I appreciate your help,
Tex

coryhub · Post by **coryhub** » Fri Apr 06, 2012 10:45 am

I'm chiming in late but do agree the font Times New Roman @ 12 characters per inch is the easiest on the eyes. What a touching dedication. How old was Sally when she passed? Just curious.

Post by **tex** » Fri Apr 06, 2012 1:25 pm

Cory,

Sally was 68. Many of the original members met her in person, when she hosted a Great Pacific Northwest Potty People Gathering at her home, in 2005. Here are a couple of links to some photos from that meeting:

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/408385912KTygdQ

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/87231887gOrIYD

Here is a link to a thread with some remembrances about her:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10837

Thanks,
Tex

coryhub · Post by **coryhub** » Fri Apr 06, 2012 3:27 pm

Hi Tex,
Thank for the sending threads on Sally. I am thankful towards our pioneers and grateful to them for pushing us out of the darkness into the light.
Question: Do we have a "Potty-People" T-shirt that could be purchased? I told my daughter I wanted a "Potty-People" T-shirt to wear and she said, "Why?"
I think it is the perfect logo. Maybe selling some T-shirts could help raise money to publish your book?
HAPPY EASTER!

Post by **tex** » Fri Apr 06, 2012 4:22 pm

coryhub wrote:Question: Do we have a "Potty-People" T-shirt that could be purchased? I told my daughter I wanted a "Potty-People" T-shirt to wear and she said, "Why?"
I think it is the perfect logo. Maybe selling some T-shirts could help raise money to publish your book?
HAPPY EASTER!

We don't sell them, but I'll send you one if you PM me the size you want, and your selection of either a large or small logo. You can see an image of the logo options, if you click on the "Potty People T-Shirts" link, above. Unfortunately, some sizes are no longer available.

Happy Easter to you, too.

Tex

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Fri Apr 06, 2012 6:27 pm

Tex, I know that I am swimming against the current here, but I always use Times New Roman 12.