Why do fonts in IE look so much better than in Firefox?

UMG:Chicken_Soüp · 11-13-2008, 04:03 PM

I'm using Georgia, a font designed for on-screen viewing.

IE fonts look great; words are crisp, clear, and easy on the eye. Firefox looks, well, functional.

What gives? I'm getting headaches.

Bear in mind that I'm coding for the world and have no control over their Firefox installation. Sure, on my desktop I can do stuff to make it look better, but that's not what I'm asking.

trickykid · 11-13-2008, 04:21 PM

Why do ugly girls always look prettier when you're drunk?

Honestly, I think fonts look better in Firefox within Linux. I guess it just boils down to user preferences and how you got your box configured.

ErV · 11-13-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UMG:Chicken_Soüp

I'm using Georgia, a font designed for on-screen viewing.

IE fonts look great; words are crisp, clear, and easy on the eye. Firefox looks, well, functional.

1) Can you provide screenshots and link to the some kind of test page for comparison?
2) Are you using Linux firefox? (not mentioned, and question is in "general") Which version? Which distribution?

wizardhat · 11-13-2008, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErV

2) Are you using Linux firefox? (not mentioned, and question is in "general") Which version? Which distribution?

And do you have the MS Core Fonts installed?

UMG:Chicken_Soüp · 11-13-2008, 10:43 PM

Hi Folks,

~ I am using Windows FF v3.0.4
~ I do not have MS Core fonts installed, but the assumption is that the end-user will also have no extra fonts installed.
~ Screenie:
http://www.miklas.org/images/font_comparison.png

css declaration.. perhaps you can recommend the best-looking FireFox serif font? But from what I understand the default FF font is a serif font... I'm surprised that it doesn't look better.

.base {
color : #000000;
font-family:"Georgia";
font-size: 12pt;
text-decoration: none; }

frenchn00b · 11-14-2008, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UMG:Chicken_Soüp

Hi Folks,

~ I am using Windows FF v3.0.4
~ I do not have MS Core fonts installed, but the assumption is that the end-user will also have no extra fonts installed.
~ Screenie:
http://www.miklas.org/images/font_comparison.png

css declaration.. perhaps you can recommend the best-looking FireFox serif font? But from what I understand the default FF font is a serif font... I'm surprised that it doesn't look better.

.base {
color : #000000;
font-family:"Georgia";
font-size: 12pt;
text-decoration: none; }

Could we change the fonts and make it look like Mac or Vista, or whatever but nicer?

what are the config files and what fonts to put into ~/.fonts ??

--
http://img509.imageshack.us/my.php?i...shtsn19lo0.jpg

ErV · 11-14-2008, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizardhat

And do you have the MS Core Fonts installed?

Do you ask me or the OP? I do have them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UMG:Chicken_Soüp

~ I am using Windows FF v3.0.4
~ I do not have MS Core fonts installed, but the assumption is that the end-user will also have no extra fonts installed.
~ Screenie:
http://www.miklas.org/images/font_comparison.png

css declaration.. perhaps you can recommend the best-looking FireFox serif font? But from what I understand the default FF font is a serif font... I'm surprised that it doesn't look better.

.base {
color : #000000;
font-family:"Georgia";
font-size: 12pt;
text-decoration: none; }

It still would be nice to have full html code for comparison, not just css. This:

Code:

<HTML>
<HEAD>
<style type="text/css">
.base {
color : #000000;
font-family:"Georgia";
font-size: 12pt;
text-decoration: none; }
</style>
</HEAD>
<BODY>
<div>
At lupatum delenit aigue duos dolor tempor sunt in culpa qui officia d dereud facils est er
</div>
</BODY>
</HTML>

gives (on Linux, ms core fonts are installed):
Opera 9.54
Firefox 3.01
As you can see, opera finds and uses Georgia, while FireFox doesn't. Although maybe html isn't right. Anyway, I think your best bet is to ask mozilla developers or community.
--EDIT--
And another thing.
This:

Code:

<HTML>
<HEAD>
<style type="text/css">
.base {
color : #000000;
font-family:"Georgia";
font-size: 12pt;
text-decoration: none; }
</style>
</HEAD>
<BODY>
<div>
At lupatum delenit aigue duos dolor tempor sunt in culpa qui officia d dereud facils est er
</div>
<font face="Georgia">
At lupatum delenit aigue duos dolor tempor sunt in culpa qui officia d dereud facils est er
</font>
</BODY>
</HTML>

Gives this picture on firefox (see second line of text). Which means that firefox can use georgia after all.