Font Size - Individual Needs or Appeal to Masses

[Former Member]

I think the masses usually prefer it because it makes a board look cleaner and usually nicer, but as an admin of a site I am usually completely open to changing the font on my own site if a member were to say that they have issues seeing the font size that is already on the site at the time.

[Tumbleweed]

I've read a lot of posts saying, "If their members complain they will consider changing the font size from the small size." Did they ever stop to consider the only ones joining their site are the ones that can tolerate the small size?

In my opinion, the standard size should be used on what new members and guests will see and an alternative skin for those who may prefer the small font size. Or perhaps putting a blurb in the side tables we see on so many sites, that a smaller/larger font size is available. This may encourage more people to join.

I also question how a tiny size makes a site look sleek. I think it just screams poor web design. So I guess you know my answer by now, I use the standard size and will not join a site using anything smaller than default and/or a horrible color choice.

[grieves and squick]

My forum has no hard and fast rules about font size. However, when I see someone using a tiny font I have to read more slowly just to read, I point out in a casual and friendly way that though we have no rule about minimum font size, we have at least a couple members who are vision impaired, and have difficulty seeing it. This usually helps them to stop. Because it doesn't look better and it doesn't look neater. It looks smaller and harder to read.

[amaranthine]

So I ask you this, when building or revamping your forum, do you take into consideration the individual needs of your members or do you try to appeal to the masses?

I myself prefer to make the font all size one and that stuff. It's just me, but I don't do it when making the site. Everything on the main page (minus the disclaimer for the background image) is in default font. The rules, as well as any other important stuff, I make in default font size. Only this I make smaller is my personal stuff that doesn't effect the way the site is in general. Even my roleplaying (as all my sites as rpgs) are usually in default.

[ARISTOCRACK!]

I always prefer font size one. IMO, it looks more sleek and professional. (I don't understand how people can't read it. -.-)

[♠ Pear ♠]

To be honest, the choice of font size doesn't always have to come down to individual needs or appealing to the masses: it's often possible to kill both birds with one stone, depending on your members and their tastes and what works well with the skin you have. Changing the font to one that has a middle-ground size (the equivalent of Verdana 1.5 or something) can often work, too.

Font size one looks much nicer to me, and on the site I co-admin we have pretty much everything in size one. So far no one has complained about it, and a few guests as well as members have posted in our chatbox to say how good the site looks, and font is obviously a contributing factor to that (albeit not the most significant). I think it's actually quite popular and not all that many people do struggle with it or dislike it. But that's just my experience.

If people can't read it, maybe an eyecheck and the pair of glasses they then get prescribed might help.

[eschimpf]

So I ask you this, when building or revamping your forum, do you take into consideration the individual needs of your members or do you try to appeal to the masses?

See as an admin of my forum, I keep everything simple. Why mess it up? While most of my members are young and as far as I know in good eye health, I on the other had have horrible eyes and will for a few more months (pregnant women should not get new glasses as hormones can change your eyes on you.)

I like a lot of people only change something I am typing in a post to make a point and even then posting it bold and underlined will usually make that point. Also when its a birthday I tend to use LARGE text in a post to say happy birthday. Just an odd thing I have *laughs*

But all in all I think this is more or less a fad and will die down sooner or later like all fads do.

[Shrike]

I don't see why it should be an issue because holding down Ctrl and scrolling with the mouse is an easy way to zoom in or out. If you don't have a mouse wheel then you can do it by the browser menu.

That said, I personally don't think that smaller text looks that much better. If anything, it makes it look like a site is trying too hard to look professional. Wikipedia, Google and Facebook (as examples) all use a similar size font to the PB default (2).

When talking about designing your forum in general (and not just font size) then I'd obviously try and make it so that both members and guests can enjoy it. You have to make it attractive to new members but also make it a place that people want to spend time in. It depends on whether or not you're satisfied with the member base that you've got as to whether or not to tailor it more to their needs while sacrificing some appeal to guests.

[Cyber Necrovalley]

When it comes to font size, I just go with the default size and stick to Verdana. I've never heard anyone on any forum complain about it, so I find it works pretty well.

[Storm]

Apr 28, 2010 2:24:29 GMT -8 ♠ Pear ♠ said:

To be honest, the choice of font size doesn't always have to come down to individual needs or appealing to the masses: it's often possible to kill both birds with one stone, depending on your members and their tastes and what works well with the skin you have. Changing the font to one that has a middle-ground size (the equivalent of Verdana 1.5 or something) can often work, too.

Font size one looks much nicer to me, and on the site I co-admin we have pretty much everything in size one. So far no one has complained about it, and a few guests as well as members have posted in our chatbox to say how good the site looks, and font is obviously a contributing factor to that (albeit not the most significant). I think it's actually quite popular and not all that many people do struggle with it or dislike it. But that's just my experience.

If people can't read it, maybe an eyecheck and the pair of glasses they then get prescribed might help.

Frankly, I find that last statement to be incredibly rude and arrogant. I have perfect eyesight and the smaller fonts give me migraines to read. If I come across a forum with such, I often bypass them without a second thought. Just because it's popular doesn't mean everyone has to use them. When I've put together forums, I take into consideration my users and their needs, not just because I think it looks 'cool' and to heck with everyone's elses feelings on it.

[Artemis]

Apr 27, 2010 20:35:13 GMT -8 ARISTOCRACK! said:

I always prefer font size one. IMO, it looks more sleek and professional. (I don't understand how people can't read it. -.-)

Apr 28, 2010 13:17:30 GMT -8 Cyber Necrovalley said:

When it comes to font size, I just go with the default size and stick to Verdana. I've never heard anyone on any forum complain about it, so I find it works pretty well.

Per the rules, see if you can elaborate a bit on your comments. :]

[♠ Pear ♠]

Apr 28, 2010 20:08:40 GMT -8 Storm said:

Apr 28, 2010 2:24:29 GMT -8 ♠ Pear ♠ said:

To be honest, the choice of font size doesn't always have to come down to individual needs or appealing to the masses: it's often possible to kill both birds with one stone, depending on your members and their tastes and what works well with the skin you have. Changing the font to one that has a middle-ground size (the equivalent of Verdana 1.5 or something) can often work, too.

Font size one looks much nicer to me, and on the site I co-admin we have pretty much everything in size one. So far no one has complained about it, and a few guests as well as members have posted in our chatbox to say how good the site looks, and font is obviously a contributing factor to that (albeit not the most significant). I think it's actually quite popular and not all that many people do struggle with it or dislike it. But that's just my experience.

If people can't read it, maybe an eyecheck and the pair of glasses they then get prescribed might help.

Frankly, I find that last statement to be incredibly rude and arrogant. I have perfect eyesight and the smaller fonts give me migraines to read. If I come across a forum with such, I often bypass them without a second thought. Just because it's popular doesn't mean everyone has to use them. When I've put together forums, I take into consideration my users and their needs, not just because I think it looks 'cool' and to heck with everyone's elses feelings on it.

Well, I'm sorry to hear that, but everyone else I've come across with "perfect eyesight" has no trouble with smaller font at all.

Of course its popularity doesn't mean everyone has to use smaller font, and I didn't say that. But it being popular means that there are a lot of people who like it and who choose to use it.

If a member ever complained to us about it, we would consider changing it. The point I was making was that, to date, none have. We would never take the viewpoint of "we like it so to heck with everyone else's feelings on it", and I don't appreciate the insinuation that we do.

I'm sorry if my comments offended you. The one you put in bold was actually meant as a joke, and I thought the winking smiley beside it was sufficient evidence of that.

[Karen]

My forum has always used the default size and Verdana. We've been open for over four years now and I've never had anyone complain about the font size. Members are free to change the font size, type or color whenever they wish, and some do, especially in roleplay posts. The posting area is a white background on my forum, so I'm sure that might also give members more freedom to use what they wish. Colored posting areas (especially the dark ones) are more restrictive in what kind of text looks attractive and readable. I believe the more freedom you give your members, the happier they will be and the longer they will stay.

[Jid]

On the subject of fonts, how do I move the text besides the banner on http://removed It makes the banner look stupid. Is there any code that can be used to put the banner dead centre?

[Kami]

Jul 1, 2010 2:48:39 GMT -8 Jid said:

On the subject of fonts, how do I move the text besides the banner on http://removed It makes the banner look stupid. Is there any code that can be used to put the banner dead centre?

Hi there. =] If you're needing help, try the [support] board. This section is for discussion, not support. Thanks!