Linux Firefox to behave like Windows Firefox

So I've downloaded Microsoft fonts for Firefox and even changed the font preferences to be exactly like windows Firefox. The problem is I still see a difference in fonts.

I've ruled out that the downloaded fonts are causing the problem, they are exactly like windows.

Here's the problem when I select, allow websites to choose their own fonts the fonts in notebook-review become ugly and bold like the default linux firefox. This option in windows allows the browser to automatically choose the cleaner arial fonts for microsoft.

So my assumption is that since website's know that the browser I'm using is from linux they choose the opensource font alternatives rather than the windows fonts.

How do I make it so websites think I'm using firefox from windows.

I've posted some screenshots to make things more clear.

Left is windows Right is Linux

 

Could be DPI settings, are you using Gnome? It's under System->Preferences->Appearance->Fonts->Details->Resolution

Try setting it to 96dpi.

Edit: forgot the appearance menu item lol.

 

Changing the dpi doesn't really change Firefox. The screenshot was taken with 90 dpi with lcd smoothing on.

 

You have firefox set to use the same fonts under Edit->Preferences->Content->Fonts & Colors->Advanced?

 

Yeah, fonts set exactly like windows.

 

Mine does the same thing, it looks different in linux. Perhaps it is the actual rendering system rather than the fonts? I find that odd though...

 

Give this a try, a lot of users in the thread are claiming it worked:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=7563730&postcount=30

There are variations on it too, so if that doesn't work read that thread and try some of the other stuff. Good luck.

 

Thanks for leading me in the right direction.

 

It's because of the different font rendering / font smoothing systems. MS uses their ClearType system, while Linux uses... I forget what it's called.

Another thing is that the font actually being used may be different.

Here's a line from a sylesheet from nbr.

Code:

	font: 10pt verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;

The browser is going to choose the first one of those that's installed. So if you have more fonts installed on the linux system, it could end up choosing a different one.

 

graycolor did changing the hinting work? Edit: These other two posts are probably worth a try if that one I linked last didn't do the trick:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=7611041&postcount=37
http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=7544701&postcount=11

 

No, changing hinting didn't work. I've tried other settings also, but the closes I've got to get the correct rendering is by disabling anti aliasing. Doing that makes the font appear as if they are from windows xp with a matt screen.

Too bad I have an LCD and on windows 7, these are the crisps fonts I've ever seen. Linux just isn't quite there yet. I've spent a good few hours playing with the font configurations, none come close to windows.

 

You just found one of my main reasons for giving up Linux. Yet 90% of Linux people say the fonts are just fine, so who are we to argue with them?

I've not spent a few hours, but two weeks messing around with the fonts. None worked properly... Bugging me especially is the disproportion between normal and monospace fonts. Well, maybe real geeks don't use graphical browsers so we can all run links and be happy.