Changing text size

Hi. I know how to fiddle with the text size quickly on my desktop (holding control and making adjustments with the mouse wheel). How might one do that (on IE/Firefox, for example) on a laptop?

I ask because the one I'm ordering has SXGA resolution, and I find the default text on my monitor, which is is also SXGA, too small - way too small.

Thanks,
Howie

 

If your laptop has a scrollbar/scroller, then use the scrollbar/scroller in place of the mouse wheel to perform the same function. Otherwise, using the keyboard will depend on the program that you use. The keyboard shortcuts should work irregardless of desktop/laptop as long as you are referring to the same program. For example, in Firefox...

Increase Text Size: Ctrl + , (hold down the Ctrl key and press the comma "," key until you find the size you want)
Decrease Text Size: Ctrl + . (hold down the Ctrl key and press the period "." key until you find the size you want)

 

why not order the notebook with xga instead? you'll save money and it sounds like you don't like sxga.

 

The way to make it more general is change the DPI in "Desktop properties -> Settings -> Advanced" and to change the various menu/icon size/spacings in "Desktop properties -> Appearance -> Advanced".

 

Perfectly good question. This particular configuration also comes with more RAM, a larger hard drive, a better processor, and a better video card. My only problem with SXGA and WSXGA is use for word processing and other reading tasks (I'm enamored with wikipedia). I also like having the option of the higher resolution for when I do use it for movies or games.

I am not able to get the "ctrl+," or "ctrl+." to work. Tried it on Firefox, IE, and MS Word. Any thoughts?

Finally, this one might sound stupid: I assume laptop screens are no different from desktop monitors in that, when used in anything other than their native resolution, they end up with poor results?

Thanks again,
Howie

 

Ctrl + , and Ctrl + . only works in Firefox. Please note that you don't press the "+" key... only press the Ctrl and "," key. Also, to see this work, make sure you have a webpage open at the same time.

Yes, desktop and laptop LCD's operate on the same principle. View them at their native resolutions.

 

Please note that you can also change font size via menu options.

Firefox:
View > Text Size > Increase/Decrease/Normal

IE:
View > Text Size > Largest/Larger/Medium/Smaller/Smallest

Word:
View > Zoom

 

To permanently change the settings in Firefox, click Tools, Options, Content, Advanced, then change the Minimum Font Size setting.

For other programs, go to Options or Tools, or click on the Help button and search for Font or Text.

r,
eagle07

 

I'm still unable to use any keys in changing font sizes, but I had never played around with those options before. So ... much ... power ...

Thanks for the help,
Howie

 

It's not Ctrl + '.' and Ctrl + ',' in Firefox. It's Ctrl + '+' and Ctrl + '-'. Ctrl+0 resets the font size to the default.

 

Ah, got it; that should be more than sufficient for laptop use.

I've actually been meaning to ask what the difference is between adjusting the DPI through settings and adjusting font size this way. Is it that going through settings affects all fonts on the computer (document and folder names, etc.)?

Thanks,
Howie

 

Yes, you got that right.

 

Sorry for the confusion. dr_st is correct. The comma and period are for the image size. Note to self... never reply when super tired.

 

This hadn't been a problem at first; I'm finding that increasing text size often makes viewing Web sites a real pain, because it starts shifting/moving things don't want shifted. Assuming I'm describing this clearly enough (which I might not be) is this avoidable? If not, maybe I really do need to forget the high-res screen.

Thanks,
Howie

 

I think if the site uses css, shifting isn't as much a problem.

thanks,
eagle07

 

I'm sorry - CSS? Not familiar with the term.

Howie

 

I seem to recall that when I wanted to get everything right I adjusted the DPI through settings and then I adjusted some of the Firefox font sizes in about:config. Now I find it that I don't need to adjust size manually using the Ctrl+/- keys most of the time, and when I do - only by a bit. Websites look right this way (I agree with you that on some sites increasing text size using Ctrl+ breaks the page layout and makes it look a mess).

 

Is about: config the same as going through tools and options? When I do it that way, it still messes wih page layout.

Howie