What Font Type(s) do you prefer?

[Valloric]

I've been told by professional typesetters that one of the most readable (and some have emphatically claimed the most readable) fonts is Caslon. There's apparently a saying amongst typsetters that "when in doubt, use Caslon".

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by rhadin

I no longer have them at hand, but studies I've read over the years demonstrate that serif fonts are easier to read over long periods even though many people prefer the clean look of san serif.

I don't like sans serif for reading. The main font really should be serif.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by seajewel

I prefer Serif fonts. I think the Caecilia font that the Amazon Kindle uses looks wonderful on readers, and I personally use Gentium, which is available for free. It also looks great. TNR does not look good on ebook readers in my opinion, at least at small font sizes, so I think Sony made a mistake in using that as the default.

Actually, Sony uses Dutch Roman BT.

[IceHand]

Originally Posted by Valloric

I've been told by professional typesetters that one of the most readable (and some have emphatically claimed the most readable) fonts is Caslon. There's apparently a saying amongst typsetters that "when in doubt, use Caslon".

That may be true, but Caslon probably wouldn't look that good at the relatively low resolution of current E-ink devices (~166dpi). As already mentioned the more sturdy typefaces are a better choice for the Sony Reader (such as Caecilia, Constantia and Dolly).

By the way, I'm not a fan of Caslon, I prefer Garamond and Palatino in print.

[Valloric]

Originally Posted by IceHand

That may be true, but Caslon probably wouldn't look that good at the relatively low resolution of current E-ink devices (~166dpi). As already mentioned the more sturdy typefaces are a better choice for the Sony Reader (such as Caecilia, Constantia and Dolly).

By the way, I'm not a fan of Caslon, I prefer Garamond and Palatino in print.

Hey, don't shoot the messenger ! I was just repeating what I was told.

For readability, IMO nothing beats non-justified Courier New, although I agree that is usually overkill and definitely not appropriate for the Reader. I took a look at the sample of Dolly you posted, and I must say, I'm getting that for my PRS-505. It looks amazing.

EDIT: On the other hand, Dolly costs 150 euros. Heeeell no. I'm not paying half a Reader for a bloody font.

[IceHand]

Originally Posted by Valloric

EDIT: On the other hand, Dolly costs 150 euros. Heeeell no. I'm not paying half a Reader for a bloody font.

You could e-mail Underware and ask for the free testing licence for educational use (TrueType version). I did that before I bought the font.

[llasram]

Originally Posted by IceHand

That may be true, but Caslon probably wouldn't look that good at the relatively low resolution of current E-ink devices (~166dpi). As already mentioned the more sturdy typefaces are a better choice for the Sony Reader (such as Caecilia, Constantia and Dolly).

I think it looks just fine, but it is tied with Garamond for my favorite typeface. Anyone wishing to check it out -- on a PRS-505 anyway -- can grab my EPUB version of the PD English trans of The Three Musketeers, which uses Adobe Caslon for the body text.

[Valloric]

Originally Posted by IceHand

You could e-mail Underware and ask for the free testing licence for educational use (TrueType version). I did that before I bought the font.

Already changed the default Reader font into Ceacilia. It was on my list of fonts to check out as a potential replacement for the default one, and I really liked it.

[stepanok]

Hi
I know it's a stupid question but how can i install the font i want on my reader?? I use calibre and by default all my books come out in Times New Roman. Changing the font type within calibre doesnt do anything. Is there another way???

[Valloric]

Originally Posted by stepanok

Hi
I know it's a stupid question but how can i install the font i want on my reader?? I use calibre and by default all my books come out in Times New Roman. Changing the font type within calibre doesnt do anything. Is there another way???

You have two options. You can either:

a) Embed the font in the LRF file. Use Book Designer. You will have to do this for every book, and the pages will turn a bit slower with embedded fonts.

b) Change the default fonts on the Reader. This requires flashing and some know-how. Read about it here and here, although I wholeheartedly recommend doing it through PRSCustomizer (that is, by flashing).

[igorsk]

Originally Posted by Valloric

a) Embed the font in the LRF file. Use Book Designer. You will have to do this for every book, and the pages will turn a bit slower with embedded fonts.

Reportedly not slow anymore with latest firmware.

[Valloric]

Originally Posted by igorsk

Reportedly not slow anymore with latest firmware.

Really? Didn't know that. How fast is it now? Same as default fonts or still a bit slower (but faster than before)?

[kacir]

Originally Posted by rhadin

Of course, one good indication of the truth of the findings is that most books -- and certainly all lengthy ones -- use serif type for the text. They will use sans serif for short passages or for tables and figures, but rarely for body text.

and another good indication is that the vast majority of texts you read on a low resolution device - like an LCD screen - from the internet is presented in sansserif font. Including this message. And your messages, and the rest of mobileread site.

serif fonts are indeed much more readable, IF you have a high resolution medium, like a printed book. With 166 DPI on the Sony Reader, the heavily hinted default sansserif font is much more readable.

[stepanok]

Originally Posted by Valloric

You have two options. You can either:

a) Embed the font in the LRF file. Use Book Designer. You will have to do this for every book, and the pages will turn a bit slower with embedded fonts.

b) Change the default fonts on the Reader. This requires flashing and some know-how. Read about it here and here, although I wholeheartedly recommend doing it through PRSCustomizer (that is, by flashing).

Thank you...I will try it. Hope it works!

[dordale]

Last night, I tried embedding a font for the first time using BookDesigner. Page turns are noticeably slower than when using the fonts provided by the reader.

As I never tried embedding a font prior to updating to the new firmware I can't comment on how the speed compares to that.

dordale