Xerratus
Happily stressed out, since 1974


 
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
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This morning I downloaded IE7 RC1 from Microsoft.  It's apparently coming out soon and I'd like to check out the sites that I work on to make sure all of the formatting looks and acts like it should (I've only found one minor thing so far).

Upon opening it, I found out right away that I did not like the new font-enhancement (ClearType).  Ironically enough, I do use an LCD screen here at work and at home but I've just never liked ClearType.  To me and my eyes, it appears fuzzy almost blurry.  This to me seems to cause eye strain rather than help it.  But this is just me... I know a lot of people who love it and I'm not knocking it.

Without ClearType:

With ClearType:

So you can imagine my reaction when I first opened IE7 to see everything in ClearType.  Wanting to check out all of the new features and check out my sites with the new browser, I didn't try to disable ClearType right away.  So about 10 minutes later (I went fast) I set out to turn it off. 

My first inclination was to go to "Tools" then fonts but it wasn't there and rightfully so; ClearType is a font-enhancement not an actual font (from what I've read).  Next was to go to the "Advanced Settings" from within "Internet Options".  There simply, about half way down under "Multimedia" was the option "Always use ClearType for HTML".  Unchecking that option then restarting IE7 brought back the font I know and love.


Advanced Settings:

UPDATE: As noted by some readers; before turning ClearType off try and fine tune it first.  There is a web version that works quite well or you can download an XP PowerToy to do the same.

Thursday, October 12, 2006 10:42:16 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
Agreed. I'm in the same boat, installed IE7 and just about burned my eyes out on that blurry text. Why they are pushing this technology I do not understand.

"Clear Type" would be more appropriately named "Blur Type" or something similar.
Thursday, October 12, 2006 9:19:32 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
Maybe you have to configure your cleartype? there are RGB and BGR LCD screens. I think there is a power toy to tweak it in windows.
Friday, October 13, 2006 9:24:29 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
As I read everybody's comments from my wife's laptop, I notice that looking at the images above; the ClearType looks GOOD. So for laptops, it's not "Blur Type" at all but for the LCD monitors (and I'm sure CRT monitors - who uses those anymore) it's awful.

If Microsoft just made a nice way for non-laptop users to disable easily, we'd all be happier.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006 2:23:11 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
I really think you have Clear type configured incorrectly.

Go to the clear type web site and reconfigure it on your LCD. At home I have an LCD and it is fine, however your images hurt my eyes! So it looks like you haven't got it set up.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006 6:38:52 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
Paul, I did go to http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/tuner/Step1.aspx and fine tuned ClearType but I still don't like it. It doesn't seem to matter which one I select, it still looks blurry.

Again, on my wifes laptop it looks great and I love it but here at work using my Dell UltraSharp 20.1-inch Flat Panel LCD Monitor it just does not do it for me.

Thanks for the tip though, I will go and fine tune the laptop at home.
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