Computer Technology Tip

Improve Your Computer Screen Readability         Don Trauger - Kennett

As we age, the vision that we may have had in our younger years, is not what it used to be. Even with glasses visual acuity is often compromised. On the newer LCD computer screens with high resolution, the font size is often tiny. Although the content is sharp it can be hard to read. Now I'll tell you the procedure to improve this problem with different Microsoft operating systems.

First, make sure your monitor is adjusted properly using its contrast and brightness settings. If you have a high resolution picture from a digital camera, this can be used to set the contrast and brightness for a life-like setting. If a picture is not available go to www.google.com and search for "nature wallpaper" or "landscape wallpaper". Click a life-like picture then click on full-size image to the right. Do several to get an idea of a life-like image. To see more pictures click on "Images for Nature Wallpaper or "Images for Landscape Wallpaper". With a life-like picture on the screen you can now adjust your monitor's contrast and brightness for the best quality. Check your monitor's manual for instructions on the location for the contrast and brightness controls.

With Windows XP right click a blank area on the Desktop screen. Click Properties and then click the Appearance tab. Next click the Effects button. In that window put a check next to "Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts". Click the little down arrow and click "ClearType". OK the window. Next, click the Settings tab. Under "Color quality" choose "Highest (32bit)". Click the Advanced button. Under "DPI setting", click the down arrow and choose "Large size (120DPI)". OK the window. The following adjustment can be used but it will distort the screen image so that circles may not be round any longer and it can also cause other side effects in all operating systems. This adjustment is the Screen resolution slider setting under the Settings tab. If you move the slider to the left everything on the screen will appear larger but possibly distorted and fuzzier. Set it to where you are satisfied with the results.

Windows Vista is similar. Right click the Desktop, click Personalize. On the left side click "Adjust font size (DPI)". Choose "Larger scale (120 DPI)" and OK the window. Next, Click Display Settings. Here you can adjust the Resolution, and Colors (Highest 32 bit is recommended) if necessary.

Windows 7 allows additional adjustments. Click Start then click Control Panel. Click Appearance and Personalization (View by: Category at top right). Click Display. Choose "Medium - 125%". On the left side, click "Adjust resolution". Use the recommended setting if at all possible. Next, click "Calibrate color". Follow the instructions on the screen. It will be followed by a ClearType procedure to improve text quality.

Windows 7 does the best job of tuning your computer display for your individual needs. However, XP and Vista also provide the ability to make your screen easier to read. One thing to remember - don't use Windows High Contrast setting should you encounter it. It may seem to be an easy fix for readability problems but you will incur color distortions, and other visual side effects that conflict with normal Web surfing.

Help with the above information is available at the PC Club meetings. We meet the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM upstairs in the Ardmore room of the Community Center.

To get answers to your questions about computers, please come to the PC Club meeting. The computer club meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM in Hershey's Mill Community Center.