Conference bulova::decw_jan-89_to_nov-90

15.0. "Font size problem with 100 dpi monitor." by CIM::KAIRYS (Michael Kairys) Thu Jan 26 1989 12:42

    Let me be the first to break the shrink-wrap on this new notesfile by
    re-entering (from memory) a note I wrote about three weeks ago. 
    
    I find there is a usability problem with 100 dpi monitors the way font
    selection currently works. Basically the problem I see is that if I
    tell the server, via the PRIVATE_SERVER_SETUP file, that I have a 100
    dpi monitor, I get large (condensed) font for most things that don't
    otherwise give me the option to select font, like Help, Notepad, etc.,
    *but* I lose the ability to have a DECterm in small font. Given the
    small size of the monitor it is frequently useful to have a DECterm in
    small font when I want to "watch" it but don't have to *read* it. On
    the other hand, things that I have to *read*, like Help, and Notepad
    screens when I want to edit something, are unusable (by me, anyway) in
    small font. 
    
    I recall from a previous note that the 100_dpi switch worked by
    "altering the default font path". I can infer from this why DECterm is
    losing the use of small font altogether, but I don't like it...
    
    Ideally I guess the solution would to have font selection be available
    from every application (SMOP...), and for all I know, this could be
    true today if I only knew what resource names to use in my XDEFAULTS.
    In the short term, I would be delighted if only there were a way I
    could tell the server I have a 100 dpi monitor and still be able to use
    small font with DECterm. Any suggestions?
    
    (This note cross-posted to DECTERM).