Comments on: ClearType

By: Bob B

Bob B — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000

Hey Matt, Methinks it’s time to get moving on this Biang collabrative blog-thing. Do we need to supply some cash before you make it, or what?

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000

Actually, ClearType only makes things look prettier on LCD screens. CRTs get no benefit.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000

Acutally tony, that isn’t entirely true:

“ClearType font technology works with current displays. Readability on CRT monitors will be improved somewhat, but it will be dramatically improved on color LCD monitors, such as those found in laptops and high-quality flat desktop displays.”

Microsoft.com: What is cleartype

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000

I stand corrected.

From the FAQ:

However, because ClearType still applies a form of filtering similar to traditional antialiasing, you may see some improvement when enabling ClearType on a CRT screen.

I made my claim about CRTs and LCDs based upon my understanding of how sub-pixel rendering works. As it turns out, Microsoft’s default font rendering doesn’t even use any anti-aliasing, so ClearType makes things better on CRTs by applying some anti-aliasing.

My bad.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000

ya, easy mistake….

(???!!!?)

You actually have an understanding of how sub-pixel rendering works? That’s pretty amazing.

By: Pat

Pat — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000

I’m pretty sure everything just got fuzzy around the edges. Don’t think I like it.

By: Ben W

Ben W — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000

Wow, that WAS noticable!! Now all I need to do is update my prescription lenses. Thanks, Matt.

By: erik

erik — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 +0000

“I’m pretty sure everything just got fuzzy around the edges.”

yeah, that pretty much is how it works….i enjoy it most of the time when i use windows, im not certain what mac os x uses by default but it’s not bad