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5V4G
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| I have followed the grumps over this 'problem' for a long time now, in various threads. I think that 'bleed' on the cheap paper is partially to blame. Like D Wynne, I am also 'colour perception safe'(cps), which is a military requirement for working on aircraft. This does not really read across to publishing, as there is no requirement, as far as I know, for a body to be cps in publishing. This could be an answer, although I doubt it. What I have noticed in the past is that what you see on screen, when making up copy, is that it bears only a passing resemblance as to what appears on paper, unless it is in black text on approximately white background. I suggest, as a trial, that the brightness and contrast be reduced on the MM monitors, and a template of a 'page sized' page be physically stuck onto the monitors. That way, the originators of the page could 'see' roughly what they are inflicting upon we great unwashed out here. Only joking about the unwashed bits, people
Oldphart: The original grumpy pedant!
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Pentium
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"I wish that someone in the Editorial Staff would answer this question - why do you do it? (is it to appeal to the younger element at the expense of the older variety?). No other computer magazine (or any other type) that I read does this."
No. We don't position Micro Mart towards the younger audience - we target computer enthusiasts across a broad spectrum of ages.
Readability of text is crucial to us, and our designers have worked very hard to mix this, alongside making the magazine attractive to those who browse it on the news stand. The truth of our magazine is that we consistently need to attract new readers, and black text on a white background (and our paper isn't white anyway, to be fair!) doesn't attract people to magazines. They accept it with a book, but not with a magazine. So our challenge is to balance an interesting design without sacrificing readability. As someone with poor eyesight myself - I've needed glasses since I was 4 - I'm very conscious of this, and while I clearly won't say our record is perfect, we do, I feel, continue to improve.
We are looking to shake up some of the design elements again, and appreciate the Readme column being brought to our attention.
Simon
Simon Brew
Managing Editor
Micro Mart
theeditor@micromart.co.uk
Also found at www.denofgeek.com
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486
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| I have been reading hte mag for a few years and have also been wearing glasses since childhood and I have to say I have never had any problems reading the magazine, I have looked through the last two mags after reading this and cannot find anything that would be bad enough to come on here and discuss to this extent. I would imagine that things like the thin paper are a nessesity to keeping the mag as cheap as it is. If you cant see it then I would definately get yourself to Specsavers (shamless plug as FS works there, lol) Keep up the good work I Say Simon.
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Pentium
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| Thanks for the reply Simon - I accept what you say, however I am not aware of any other computer magazine that does print in this manner and they too must have the same problems as MM in attracting new readers. But this is a MM issue. I'm not against colour - far from it - it adds to the magazine, makes it look more attractive - hence more "buyable" (?) to the casual reader. It does seem that the probelm is an "age" issue and may not be a problem to younger readers - just you wait you bu**ers" until you hit the late 50s and 60+ and then you might also say that that old fart (me) had a point!  Let me know when you get to the early 60's - PM me if I'm still alive!  - failing that I'll forward you my "final resting place" e-mail address. (dwynnehugh@God/Devil.com [delete whichever is non applicable])
Dave H
What is the difference between genius and stupidity? Genius has limits. - Albert Einstein
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Pentium
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I generally don't jump in on these things, but I'd just like to say that I've had no problems (not bought for about 2-3 weeks), and I *should* wear reading glasses for it, and without them I can still read it perfectly fine 
--------------------Signature. Containing hilarious remixes since 2008--------------------
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Pentium
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But Marten you're but an 18 year old "whipper-snapper".
Dave H
What is the difference between genius and stupidity? Genius has limits. - Albert Einstein
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Pentium
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| Following oldphart's post, I'd like to suggest a couple of the most significant factors that affect readability, irrespective of colour. The first is point size - obviously larger point sizes (bigger letters) help, but they have to be balanced against the space that larger text requires. The second is typeface. On monitors, plain sans serif typefaces (like this) are usually thought to be easier to read, and on TV and video they don't generally cause fringing problems with interlaced pictures. On paper, serif fonts (like this) are sometimes preferred for small text because they offer extra little bumps (serifs - the furniture on this h as compared with this h) that can be used to distinguish letters more easily - extra furniture is sometimes necessary because the printing of small letters can be imprecise. Newspaper fonts have serifs, by and large, because the print process is cheap and therefore variable in quality from paper to paper. Some people also think serif fonts look a bit archaic, so they don't suit all applications. Colour is now a secondary, occasional problem, in my opinion. If it's true that general readability needs improving, typeface and point size are likely to be the most effective tools for the job. Weight (letter thickness) is also worth looking at where the print process is variable in quality. Apologies if I've offended anyone in this thread - I spent several years picking up this subject from a genuine master of the art of type (sounds a bit like kung-fu, but much less useful in a fight), so I'm a bit militant about it. It's hard work to get type exactly right; there's always a compromise involved.
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Pentium
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MartenReed (09/06/2008)
I generally don't jump in on these things, but I'd just like to say that I've had no problems (not bought for about 2-3 weeks), and I *should* wear reading glasses for it, and without them I can still read it perfectly fine
*SLAPS*
Stop paying for WOW and buy the mag like a good boy!
Disclaimer: Any advice I provide is only applicable in my reality and may need altering to fit yours There is no place like 127.0.0.1
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