Re: Comic Sans

> This is actually a nice use of the font, other than the
> casual-attitude-conveyance issue. Why? Because the entire thing is not
done
> big and bold. This alone makes a HUGE difference in how it initially
> impacts me as a user in-so-far as my first impression goes. It still sorta
> hits me as being too casual, but it doesn't make my teeth ache the way a
> site like this done in a larger bolder version of the same font would. *G*

I admit to the widespread use of Comic Sans, however I recently enrolled in
a 12 step program and with the help of my sponsor and God I hope to kick
this insidious habit.

Actually, there are few fonts on the WIN and MAC platforms you can safely
choose from.  I use secondary fonts in my .CSS files so that it works fine
for most users if they don't have the CS font.  I use it because my boss
said to. (go ahead Darrell King - yell "AHA!  Just as I thought")  At first
we had a big fight, but "the boss is always right" read "pays the bills" so
I eventually shut up about using what I thought was a dopey font.

But now I know better.  I have had several people with vision problems say
that it was the easiest website for them to view.  The trick was not to use
Comic Sans for headlines - that looks rough and garish looking so my <.H1>
through <.H4) tags all use an alternate font like Helvetica for those
headlines.  Two font's on a page is generally acceptable in most circles.
At least I don't use 12 different fonts like some folk to.

In my own defense, I don't use huge images except for a few maps that are
500 or so pixels wide. Usually I stick to 325 to 350 pixels wide max. for
product pages.   I religiously reduce the colors in GIF's and compress the
.JPG's so downloading is usually pretty fast.

As for regular website viewers thinking the font is amateurish, I think 95%
couldn't pick that font out of a lineup.  It's only us educated folk that
have evolved strong opinions and prejudices.

Thanks for sparking a delightful discusion.

=====================================
| Paul Wilson
| webgooru(at)gte.net
| http://www.abcwaterbed.com
=====================================

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