Number 204 - May 2000
Are Acronyms Driving You Nuts?
by Lynn L. Kauer, Saginaw Valley Computer Association
    Twice last month I got surprised at a newbie question about words we take for granted. It took me back a couple of years when the terms we have become accustomed to using weren't a part of the computer language as we knew it then. The following are some of the questions I received.

    When I tried to use XYZ software it asked me if I wanted to use the default font. I don't remember making a mistake. What did the question mean?

Default
    When a person installs software the program "automatically" makes some assumptions and installs what the program will use automatically unless the user decides to change it. The automatic installation of a font is called the "default" meaning [in lieu of any other choice] the "automatic" font will be used.

    For example, Word installs with a default font of Times New Roman with a size of 10. This means, in publishing terms, the font [size] is 10 points.1

    Obviously, the software developers at Microsoft don't realize most people write letters with their word processor. Ten points is considered too small for a full page width. It should have been 12 point, or 11 point as a minimum.

    The reason is that, when reading, the eye scans a line of text. When the size of the text is too small, readability diminishes.2
    Also, the eye recognizes words of text as shapes. For example, take a pencil and outline of the words in this article. You will find that each word has a different shape--this the eye trains itself to read partly on the "shape" of the word. That is why it is incorrect to type a document using all capital letters--there is no shape--readability drops approximately 40% when all caps are used.

    To change the default of Word's 10 point installation all the user has to do is open the Normal.DOT file found in the Template folder of the Word Installation, change the point size to 12 and save the template.

    If you don't know how to find them it might be a good idea to attend the Word, or other SIG's offered by the SVCA, and learn how.


Toggle Editor's Note:

    1 What you've been reading is 10 point Times New Roman.

    This is 12 point type size.

    2 The use of two or three columns alleviates the readability problem.
  Number 204 - May 2000