4 ms·

I’m surprised there’s a need for this kind of thing or even much of a difference between most sans serif fonts. It seems there are dozens if not hundreds of ope

I’m surprised there’s a need for this kind of thing or even much of a difference between most sans serif fonts. It seems there are dozens if not hundreds of open source programming fonts which are all quite legible.

ncmncm 8y ago
Indeed, and none as legible as a serviceable serif font. Legibility was a solved problem literally centuries ago.
- zimpenfish 8y ago
  > Legibility was a solved problem literally centuries ago. For print, maybe? But digital displays are a whole different kettle of fish which didn't exist centuries ago.
  - mrec 8y ago
    How much of sans-serif's digital advantage was predicated on low-resolution displays compared to print? (Not a rhetorical question; I'm genuinely curious. What was true for NTSC-interlaced isn't necessarily true for 8K.)
Alex3917 8y ago
> I’m surprised there’s a need for this kind of thing or even much of a difference between most sans serif fonts. I mean look how asymmetrical the characters in this typeface are compared to almost every other sans serif typeface. The way the body of the characters flairs out opposite the ink traps is pretty wild. It almost looks like it was designed using deep learning or something, because how the hell could any human possibly come up with those forms.
- dotancohen 8y ago
  Take a look at some of the "dyslexic" fonts. The asymmetry is very useful in dynamic situations: low/high/variable G environment, shaking, smoke in cockpit, O2 mask on, loud noises, lost eyewear, multiple distractions (alarms), etc.
- vonseel 8y ago
  Huh? I wouldn't even notice it's a special font if not for the fact that I clicked the article to their website because it was on HN. The edges of the characters look slightly different to me, but otherwise it just looks like most other sans-serif fonts to me. Maybe I need to get my eyes checked. (although last time I went doctor said I had better-than perfect vision in both eyes)
  - executesorder66 8y ago
    Nope. There's nothing wrong with your eyes. Some people are just better at noticing certain things, compared to others.
  - thanatropism 8y ago
    Assuming you're in your 30s, statistics says your hearing is about the same as mine, but my ability to distinguish chords is better. (Meaning: if I had to bet either way, I'd say this - I could lose the bet.)

ncmncm 8y ago

Indeed, and none as legible as a serviceable serif font. Legibility was a solved problem literally centuries ago.

zimpenfish 8y ago
> Legibility was a solved problem literally centuries ago. For print, maybe? But digital displays are a whole different kettle of fish which didn't exist centuries ago.
- mrec 8y ago
  How much of sans-serif's digital advantage was predicated on low-resolution displays compared to print? (Not a rhetorical question; I'm genuinely curious. What was true for NTSC-interlaced isn't necessarily true for 8K.)

Alex3917 8y ago

> I’m surprised there’s a need for this kind of thing or even much of a difference between most sans serif fonts. I mean look how asymmetrical the characters in this typeface are compared to almost every other sans serif typeface. The way the body of the characters flairs out opposite the ink traps is pretty wild. It almost looks like it was designed using deep learning or something, because how the hell could any human possibly come up with those forms.

dotancohen 8y ago
Take a look at some of the "dyslexic" fonts. The asymmetry is very useful in dynamic situations: low/high/variable G environment, shaking, smoke in cockpit, O2 mask on, loud noises, lost eyewear, multiple distractions (alarms), etc.
vonseel 8y ago
Huh? I wouldn't even notice it's a special font if not for the fact that I clicked the article to their website because it was on HN. The edges of the characters look slightly different to me, but otherwise it just looks like most other sans-serif fonts to me. Maybe I need to get my eyes checked. (although last time I went doctor said I had better-than perfect vision in both eyes)
- executesorder66 8y ago
  Nope. There's nothing wrong with your eyes. Some people are just better at noticing certain things, compared to others.
- thanatropism 8y ago
  Assuming you're in your 30s, statistics says your hearing is about the same as mine, but my ability to distinguish chords is better. (Meaning: if I had to bet either way, I'd say this - I could lose the bet.)