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Idea #17788: Enable subpixel smoothing on LCDs by default

bug This idea was marked as implemented the 16 May 09.
Written by petrosyan@gmail.com the 1 Feb 09 at 02:12. Related project: Gnome. Status: Implemented
Rationale
Currently by default fonts are smoothed using "Best Shapes" algorithm. LCDs have 3 times higher horizontal resolution, and therefore fonts can look 3 times smoother if subpixel smoothing is enabled.

I propose to enable subpixel smoothing for fonts by default if the computer or a laptop is using an LCD and not a CRT display.
Tags: lcd smoothing

70
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): The installer should autodetect the type of display
Written by petrosyan@gmail.com the 1 Feb 09 at 02:12.
The installer should try to auto-detect the display technology and if it is LCD enable subpixel smoothing.

If auto detection fails, or if it detects a CRT, it should fall back to the current "Best Shapes" smoothing algorithm.
20
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#2): Run a visual comparison tool and let the user decide.
Written by annex666 the 7 Feb 09 at 00:32.

Show text rendered with a number of settings and let the user decide - not all users will want the same sub-pixel settings (if at all), therefore letting them decide based on how it will actually look is the best solution.

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Comments
r0g wrote on the 5 Feb 09 at 05:55
If this is anything like microsoft's 'cleartype' I don't want it - your eyes may not be good enough to see the colored fringes round every letter but mine are and I think it looks dreadful.

zooounds wrote on the 5 Feb 09 at 12:07
r0g: Then disable it. I love cleartype.

m.lettner wrote on the 24 Feb 09 at 20:15
Subpixel Rendering in Gnome is way better/sharper than Cleartype in Windows! And can be adjusted easily.

IIRC license problems about Subpixel Rendering are the reason why it is not activated by default. Maybe someone knows more about that...

patrickpan wrote on the 18 Mar 09 at 20:53
would be great if that gets realised. makes every font look way better.

love it
love it
love it
love it
love it

petrosyan@gmail.com wrote on the 24 Mar 09 at 13:37
this idea has been implemented in Ubuntu 9.04


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