Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

So, I didn't change any of my IE settings, and saw the same thing on two different computers. Did Gaia reduce it's font size on things like Profile and Group posting pages.

It's smaller and considerably more difficult to read fast.

Re: Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

I represent two of us with the same complaint. First, the print went grey some time ago. Very user-unfriendly. Now, smaller, again user-unfriendly. The extra space between lines is EASIER to read, but the reduction in size is quite challenging for some of us.

I really think the Team is allowing THEIR “aesthetics” to trump user-friendliness, here again as with other changes. Much as I love you all and this site, certain Team behaviors I really think are not in the best interests of Members. This is one.

If you made the current typeface larger, and black, and kept the extra spacing between lines, I believe not only would no one complain, but everyone would be ecstatic !!!

I think a lot of folks are disgruntled, but not bothering to post about it.

Blessings, tons of love, and extreme gratitude overall,
OM Bastet

Re: Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

Hi team I'm in agreement with 1vector3 with this new font.  The font is very small and the light grey on the white background does make it hard to read.  And with such a diminished font one's writings comes across less enticing to read. 
Thank you team for your time and interest in our suggestions!
Be safe,
Paul

Re: Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

I just got word from our designer that we're doing everything we can to make the site work for the user.

~M

Re: Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

Thanks for responding, ~Matthew. I cannot interpret what you said though.

“We have been doing all we can, what we did was for that, in our view.”

or

“We are doing all we can to revise again for better user-friendliness than we currently display.”

Thanks for any clarification.

Blessings upon you,
OM Bastet

Re: Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

Re: Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

Definitely better in black and larger or bolder font.  What in the world is this thinking about “design” –lik ow it looks visually as an art form?  What  really matters is if we can read it. easily.   To read it, we need something that is visible easily.  That pale small print is not good for me - a senior.  At times, even with my new prescription glasses.  WHAT'S WITH THIS SMALL PALE LOOK.?

Once my grandson Alex, 7, and I were watching TV.  I made some remark. “Eeeew, those glasses don't suit that lady “   My grandon looked at me and said, “Mimi, it's not how the glasses look that's important, but whether or not she can see!” 

Make if USER FRIENDLY, not visually friendly.  Not so concerned abut how “it looks”, but more concerned if people can see and read it easily.
Thank you for listening.

Re: Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

cosmicbdog, the black larger Verdana absolutely LEAPS OFF THE BLINKING PAGE for me !!!! My eyes cheer !!!!!! That is not a metaphor !!!!!

Grey might be “easier on the eyes” if all you want to do is stare at the page, but for reading for meaning, and reading a LOT for meaning, grey is IMHO ridiculous as a choice, compared to black. Thanks for joining the chorus on this, mimi !!!!

Blessings to all, OM Bastet
 

Re: Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

I was again rereading this thread and my observation was clear. All I wanted to do is read cosmicbdog with the font Verdana and black, my eyes just kept going back to cosmicbdog writings. So I thought I would give it a try and see if it happens the same with my writings. Take the test and what do you think?

Take care

Re: Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

Om, please don't feel shy about stating your opinion.  =)

Re: Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

I don't  think Verdana is right either.  It is too squat , wide, and blocky.  And each letter is the same width, it seems.  Something weird about it.

Pick something better that is easier to read, we don't need any fancy “different” fonts.  A lot of times, I have to type in bold just to make it more visible.

Re: Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

Thanks for the encouragement, sweet Orange Marmalade, (even if I do prefer calicos with green eyes, or tabbies….. oh dear !!!!)

Wow, Paul, I didn't realize I COULD do something else. I don't have MS Word on this computer. I have the Open Office version. Do you compose elsewhere first and copy-paste? Every time I try to paste something different into a textbox on this site, it reverts to the standard font size and color.

But if you teach me how to post in Verdana black, or if cosmicbdog can teach me, I will join the Black Verdana rebellion and do all my future posting in that, heh heh !!!!

Blessings, OM Bastet

Re: Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

didn't see mimi's post before i posted. I suppose there could be something even more elegant than Verdana. the main thing for me is i feel restricted because no copy-paste seems to work, nor do i know how to access any other font from within a site textbox here.

but i know people do it, so it's just a matter of finding out how. i haven't gotten off the dime to ask enough people yet how they are doing it.

Hey, mimi, that's a nice workaround, to post everything in bold now. it means i have to use only italics and underlining and caps for emphasis, but i rarely use bold for emphasis anyway, so wouldn't miss it.

Blessings, OM Bastet

Re: Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

I know this thread has been dormant for a while, but I wanted to pop in with an update and a resource. As most of you know, we're working on an internal revamp to make the navigation and site experience more user-friendly (and less frustrating…) and this does include, of course, a more readable default text.

Chris and I were looking at this thread and the suggestions around Verdana and font colors, and he recommended this resource. I actually find Trebuchet a little easier to read; Verdana is great for short messages but gets hard to handle after a few pagraphs, just becaues of how spaced-out the letters are. But you can easily check yourself! Just click the link above, make all the fonts black, and test Verdana 1.2/1.3 against Trebuchet 1.2/1.3. (Arial is another standard to look at, but it's more 'squooshed' than Trebuchet.)

I love the internets. :)

Re: Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

Siona, a million thanks for considering these matters so seriously. I tried to go to the Typetester page, the URL loads, but the page is empty. Tried twice. will try again tomorrow.

Yeah, it is entirely possible that a font is terrific for short sprints, but not a distance runner, haha.

Anything larger and darker would be better than what we have now. But I don't favor fonts in which rn looks like m. And I know it's gotta be a sanserif for easier reading, that eliminates a lot.

Thanks so much for all the thought going into the selection. Deeply appreciative !!!!

Blessings, OM Bastet

Re: Gaia's New Page Fonts Are Harder to Read

I actually prefer Verdana at 1.2 or 1.3 em.  Trebuchet starts looking nicer at about 1.5, which I think is still a very reasonable size.  It's a little more round, so needs a tidge more space to spread out in. 

Anything black will be better, and anything other than Arial!!

Thanks for the update, Siona!