Just for the record, that's NOT me in the photo
I was recently told (by a woman) that I'm too big. Generally, that would be an incredible ego boost. This time, however, it deflated my ego. Size is important to me and I always do my best to please. Unfortunately I can't please everyone.
I can hear sporadic gasps of horror . Before you scratch me off your blog list, let me explain.
In my previous post, I complained about bloggers who use microscopic, annoyingly unreadable fonts. And I boasted that my font is always LARGE because I actually want you to see what I've written. I consider it to be a courtesy to my readers, or at least to their over-strained eyes.
I had no qualms about what I said, and I was feeling uncharacteristically cocky (no pun intended, of course).
Then I received the comment that deflated my ego. One of my readers informed me that my fonts are so LARGE that she has to scroll back and forth to read my sentences.
I have never intentionally intended to induce forced scrolling. Honest Injun (no racial slurs intended).
I'm always open for suggestions and I was extremely pleased to receive the gentle chastisement. My first thought was:
What the hell device is this Bimbo reading my blog on - - a cell phone made by Mattel?
I hadn't thought about ipads, because I don't like them and don't use them. My large fonts are specifically for computer users, who have reasonably large monitors.
In all fairness, anyone who endures the agony of scrolling simply to read my humble blog should be commended. It's not my intention to cause misery of any kind. Well, not much, anyway.
So, here's my question (and not a moment too soon):
Does anybody else have a problem with my BIG FONTS? Have I unintentionally inflicted any of my other readers with the heartbreak of ESS (Excessive Scrolling Syndrome)?
If so, let me know and I'll consider decreasing my font size. Even though it will shatter my ego. Not to mention piss me off.
My fonts might indeed be annoying, but you have to give me some points for my humor.....
.....don't you?
.........don't you??
Note:
this post was written solely with humor in mind. It is not my intention to inflict pain or insult.
my laptop can read whatever you dish out. so be LARGE and IN CHARGE!
ReplyDeleteI might not always be in charge, but I'm well-endowed. Oops - I mean I'm LARGE.
Deletelike little pedro up there, amirite? (wink wink nudge nudge)
DeleteI am NOT inflicted with the heartbreak of ESS. You are just the RIGHT size for me. No changes please.
ReplyDeleteI knew that you would never complain about my size! You're a woman after my own heart.
DeleteIt comes across here well. I don't have any scrolling to do. But I can handle anything big, so bring it. I used to use a larger font and had mutate emails about scrolling left to right to read it, so I changed it years ago.
ReplyDeleteoh cripes, maddie, stop bragging! :)
DeleteI'm glad that you haven't been inflicted with Excessive Scrolling Syndrome.
DeleteAnd I had absolutely no doubt that you'd be attracted to my extra large attributes....
If you lay down flat Jon, I bet a cock-a-tail, Anne Marie can get a horse show around "it".
Deleteride 'em cowboy!
DeleteI read on an iPad (which I love) and the larger font is perfect. She possibly has used her settings to increase the size of the text. In that case, she would have caused the problem
ReplyDeleteI, too, hate microscopic text which forces one to stretch the frame to read it. Also, using a dark background with a somewhat dark text is almost impossible to read. I have quit reading a couple of blogs because it is too much trouble trying to decipher the post.
I'm glad to hear that my large font is readable on an iPad. I hadn't even previously considered the problem. In my profound naivety, I just assumed that everyone was reading on a computer monitor.
DeleteAlmost every blogger uses a small font and it has always irked the hell out of me. And it seems like the longer the post, the smaller the font.
Both you and your commenter might enjoy adjusting the zoom setting on your respective browsers. For example, with Firefox (and I think really the rest of the big ones, but be good children and do your own homework) and if you have a keyboard, you can hold down the Ctrl button and use the + and - buttons to zoom in or out. Ctrl and 0(zero) will reset you to the default for your browser. Firefox will remember the setting you are currently using when you close it, and will re-open with the same Zoom level. It also lets you Zoom text only (Accessible under View on the Menu Bar, then Zoom. Don't see a Menu Bar? Press Alt to temporarily access it.) Tablets and phones usually have a way you can adjust the font size if the ol' pinch close finger move doesn't help you (for an iPad using Safari, it's the little capital A next to the larger capital A on the far right). Size can also be affected by your electronic device's Display properties, but this is already starting to sound like an Internet for Dummies article, so I'll stop now. ~~~ NB
ReplyDeleteP.S. Except to say, has she tried turning her iPad to the side? ~~~ NB
In all honesty - despite my feigned brashness - I know nothing about computers and less than nothing about tablets or phones. I appreciate the valuable information, and I'm sure other readers will, too.
DeleteAnd I'm delighted to know that you're still lurking around my blog. Thanks!
Lookin' fine over here ... both on the dinosaur desktop and my tablet.
ReplyDeleteAs long as I'm looking fine, that's all that matters. Thanks!
DeleteHi Jon,
ReplyDeleteI've been reading through some of your older posts and have quite enjoyed them. I loved the video with you playing piano. That was amazing. From my end of the stick everything looks good ... very easy on the eyes. Not a problem at all on either of my gadgets.
I'm glad to know that my font is easy on the eyes. I probably shouldn't have made such a big deal about it, but I was worried that it might have annoyed some readers. Thank you for visiting my blog - I really appreciate your input.
ReplyDeleteI'm ever so grateful for your writing on the subject of readable fonts some time go. When I accordingly started doing mine in large I started feeling much better about it (even though it hasn't brought me any new followers as I'd hoped it might.). In fact I think everyone's blog looks better in large.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I've just realised, looking at above comments, that I've got some catching up to do, particularly on your recent videos I wasn't able to play - and featuring your own nimble finger-work - but now I will/should have no problem doing so.
Btw: In top photo, I know that's a sombrero on his head but why did he also want to have a pancake on his lap? ;-)
I'm glad that you're one of the courageous bloggers who isn't afraid to go LARGE. It doesn't guarantee that we'll get more followers (unfortunately) but at least it's easy on our reader's eyes.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to re-post some of my videos for you to see. Or you can view them on my YouTube channel. I don't have the link, but my YouTube name is Jayveesonata (all one word)
I suppose the hat on the guy's crotch (above photo) is there to keep his "private parts" from getting sunburned!
I'll find your vids, Jon. If I can't I'll let you know.
DeleteOh, and I'd assumed that the second 'hat' above was to avoid scaring the horses. But you may well be right. If he's 'cut' down there it must also get ultra-sensitive in hot sun, though being 'intact' myself, I wouldn't know. :-)
I am the bimbo who commented that I had to scroll back and forth. I was using a laptop, nothing small at all. I did first check to see what my font settings for the screen were, and the settings were 100%. I really hate small font and having to scroll back and forth. Yes, size does matter. And, I was not offended at any of your comments.
ReplyDeleteAfter I wrote this post, I was afraid that you might be offended (and with good reason). Your previous comment about scrolling struck me funny (for some weird reason) and I thought I would capitalize on it.
DeleteAnyway, I'm glad that you're not insulted - - and I never really thought you were a bimbo!
Jon,
ReplyDeleteOh good grief, if grief can be good, in fact, can we do nothing that someone doesn't give us grief? I do not like teenie tiny print. I prefer something I can read with relative ease. Have had very little on the way of scrolling. I do believe one can reduce the size of their received print anyway.
Lar
I'm glad to hear that you're scroll-free - - and by the way, I'm still enjoying reading your posts, even though I haven't been leaving comments.
DeleteThe only thing worst than a small font is a white font on a black background. I too use a large font and I love being able to read blogs without ESS.
ReplyDeleteSome bloggers try to be creative with fonts and colors, and most of the time their creativity backfires and only serves to annoy readers.
DeleteHey, Jon:
ReplyDeleteI've never had any trouble reading your posts just the way they are. My eyes ain't getting any younger, so I always appreciate when a blogger decides to go LARGE. However, when I read the late Roger Ebert's movie reviews, I have to click on the zoom feature Big Time. Same thing goes for Wikipedia.
Hell, it only takes a second to reduce or enlarge an entire post, so I wouldn't lose any sleep over somebody complaining about how big you are: BIG is good :-)
Dylan
P.S. My apartment is now pristine, all the laundry is done, I've paid all my bills, and I've bought enough groceries to last me an entire month. So this blogger is back!
Wikipedia drives me crazy with the small font, because - much like you - my eyes aren't getting any younger. I think of Being Big as a sort of public service.
DeleteI'm delighted that you're back in Bloggerland. I've been procrastinating about driving into town. I'll definitely have to go next week to get groceries and pay bills. An evil necessity.
I think of myself as a voyeur when I'm reading someone's blog. I take what comes and I appreciate the blogger's effort. I confine my comments to the subject of the day.
ReplyDeleteI prefer larger fonts and points, but I'm gay. Oh wait, maybe we're not talking about the same things.
Anyway, you're doing all the work, I'm just a bum hopping a freight train. I'm along for the ride. So far your blog has been a great ride.
Glad to hear that I'm a great ride (so to speak...). Ironically, I've always considered blogging to be a form of exhibitionism. I'm generally a very private person, but expressing myself in writing is curiously addictive.
DeleteJon,
ReplyDeleteNo, your fonts are NOT too big. When I first read your blog (and I forget how I got there), I was very pleased that yours was one of those blogs that actually had readable fonts. In fact, I increased my blog size influenced by your "size." DO NOT CHANGE YOUR FONT SIZE. Just a suggestion from a longtime devoted reader of your fabulous, always interesting blog.
Ron
Ron, I think you and I have the largest fonts (!) around and I love it! When it comes to blogging I'm a size freak - the bigger the better. I often worry about my posts being annoying, but I never previously considered that my fonts might cause grief.
DeleteYou can rest assured that I'll always be Big.
I have no problems reading your blog and I, also, use a larger font. I had some followers with visual impairments and the larger print is easier for me to read, too. I have a couple of blind followers, too, who can't use the verification crap--so that is why I don't have that, either. [I better not have! Blogger tried to put it on all the blogs a while back--grrr!] And I had some older readers--like my dad who was in his 90s and half blind with glaucoma in one eye. It sounds to me like her problem is more with what she's reading it on or something else on her end. I went big and never looked back--LOL! Do what you want!! :)
ReplyDeleteI've been using a large font on my blog for as long as I can remember (I've had numerous other blogs before this one) - and I've often wondered why so many bloggers prefer tiny fonts. There is nothing worse than having to strain your eyes in order to read something.
DeleteNow I'm self-conscious about my font size. I don't know how to change it but will see what I can do. Your blog page is always readable on my computer and looks great.
ReplyDeleteNow I feel guilty for making you self-conscious about your font size.
DeleteI'm never any good when it comes to explaining things - but -
on the page where you write your blog post, there are little "icon" thingies at the top (which allow you to use italics, change fonts colors, etc).
The icon where you change the font size is on the left. If you place your mouse arrow on it, it will read "font size" and a little window will open that reveals the font sizes you can choose from:
smaller
small
normal
large
largest
I always choose the last one, "Largest" - - but "large" is also sufficient.
I doubt if this will make much sense, but unintentional confusion is one of my specialties.
If the font on any page seems to small to me, I hold CTRL and tap the + key, which makes the font larger. If the font seems to big, I hold the ctrl key while tapping the - key, and the font becomes smaller. Very simple, very easy. Sometimes I have to tap the key more than once to get the font the size I like.
ReplyDeleteHey, it works!!! That's something I've never previously heard of.
DeleteYour font size looks great on my laptop. My brother occasionally sends an e-mail that I have to scroll back and forth on. I don't know why because normally it's no problem.
ReplyDeleteI lost Internet connection yesterday and the marvelous lady at the phone company was able to talk me through getting back online (I'm not even sure if I'm using the right terminology) Computers, can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.
Glad you were able to get back online. I admittedly know nothing about computers - but I'm good at feigning technological prowess.
DeleteE-mails with tiny fonts are another thing that drives me crazy!
My tired old eyes very much appreciate the larger font.
ReplyDelete