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For those wondering, I'm pretty sure this is a Windows extension that changes Windows to use Mac/Linux style font rendering. This gives better glyph shapes comp

For those wondering, I'm pretty sure this is a Windows extension that changes Windows to use Mac/Linux style font rendering. This gives better glyph shapes compared to Windows' ClearType rendering which forces fonts to align with pixel boundaries - a dubious decision with no off switch in Windows.

NetOpWibby 4y ago
I’m surprised to see this on HN. I loved MacType when I was on Windows, this was when Mac OS X Leopard was current.
josteink 4y ago
> This gives better glyph shapes compared to Windows' ClearType rendering which forces fonts to align with pixel boundaries - a dubious decision It’s not “dubious”. It clearly improves readability of text on most non-hidpi displays. Most people don’t have “retina” displays. For most people this is probably preferable.
stephc_int13 4y ago
Well, it depends. I don't like the font rendering on macOS, it is mostly OK now that we have very high DPI displays, but at a lower res it is kind of blurry. IMHO the font rendering on Windows is excellent.
- pjerem 4y ago
  > IMHO the font rendering on Windows is excellent. On low dpi screens, yes, it has always been a strength of Windows. Too bad that most apps nowadays are using the awful and blurry Chrome font rendering.
NBJack 4y ago
Pretty sure some Linux distros also offer forms of sub pixel rendering akin to ClearType. What do you find dubious about pixel boundary alignment? As a side note, please note Macs don't even offer a means of turning off aliasing anymore, which for folks like myself has serious implications for eye focus under some conditions. For all its faults, ClearType and similar rendering solutions at least allow me to tweak it to both my comfort level and even monitor pixel arrangement.
- richdougherty 4y ago
  The dubious part for me is the way it's set at quite a strong level of pixel alignment, and (from memory) you can adjust it a bit but it not enough for all tastes - hence extensions like this. I get that some people prefer it but a lot of people don't and it's frustrating to be stuck with it. My thinking is that unless there's clearly one best way, and if it's something people have strong opinions about, then a switch or knob to adjust is a good idea.

NetOpWibby 4y ago

I’m surprised to see this on HN. I loved MacType when I was on Windows, this was when Mac OS X Leopard was current.

josteink 4y ago

> This gives better glyph shapes compared to Windows' ClearType rendering which forces fonts to align with pixel boundaries - a dubious decision It’s not “dubious”. It clearly improves readability of text on most non-hidpi displays. Most people don’t have “retina” displays. For most people this is probably preferable.

stephc_int13 4y ago

Well, it depends. I don't like the font rendering on macOS, it is mostly OK now that we have very high DPI displays, but at a lower res it is kind of blurry. IMHO the font rendering on Windows is excellent.

pjerem 4y ago
> IMHO the font rendering on Windows is excellent. On low dpi screens, yes, it has always been a strength of Windows. Too bad that most apps nowadays are using the awful and blurry Chrome font rendering.

NBJack 4y ago

Pretty sure some Linux distros also offer forms of sub pixel rendering akin to ClearType. What do you find dubious about pixel boundary alignment? As a side note, please note Macs don't even offer a means of turning off aliasing anymore, which for folks like myself has serious implications for eye focus under some conditions. For all its faults, ClearType and similar rendering solutions at least allow me to tweak it to both my comfort level and even monitor pixel arrangement.

richdougherty 4y ago
The dubious part for me is the way it's set at quite a strong level of pixel alignment, and (from memory) you can adjust it a bit but it not enough for all tastes - hence extensions like this. I get that some people prefer it but a lot of people don't and it's frustrating to be stuck with it. My thinking is that unless there's clearly one best way, and if it's something people have strong opinions about, then a switch or knob to adjust is a good idea.