Tiny text

from WinCustomize Forums
Hi

After getting nowhere with GT3 and trying to make all text visible, I am presently trying iSkin Right Xtra. While this is a pretty cool skin, I find that text in address bars and folder listings in My Computer, in Save and Open dialogs amongst others are tiny and barely readable.

Anyone know how to make the text bigger? I have tried configuring the text size using the WindowsBlinds Advanced Configuration dialog, but this simply makes title and button text larger and does not affect the size of the text in folder lists and address bars.

Any help will be very much appreciated.
windowblinds
3,726 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
In windowblinds settings you can set the skin to use any font you want.

...all skin defined fonts to be replaced by...select a font that you know works for you and give it a try.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
iSkin does not have system fonts, address bar, explorer bar etc should be default, sounds like one of your other
skins has system fonts and is now default for any skin without. Right click desktop, properties,
appearence, Font size select normal apply. Most skins do not have system font/ Fonts for classic widgets (SkinStudio 4.5). Any that do I remove them so do not have to refresh font when change to new skin. Using different fonts on
buttons, title bar, menubar, menus is cool but in my opinion address bar, explorer bar etc. look best default settings.
DeskScapes - Bring your desktop background to life.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, folks. thanks for the advice. I had already tried overiding the font as described but this did not make any difference at all.

I have discovered that unloading WindowsBlinds, selecting the XP classic theme and rebooting so that WindowsBlinds does not load at startup, then re-applying the skin sorted this out. Hopefully, it should hold through subsequent reboots.

WindowsBlinds is obviously still flakey, and needs more work on it. I was considering using it at work, but my own experience with it has shown me that I would be innundated with irate calls on how to get it working properly (I am the IT support).

I think the program is pretty cool, but it definately requires more work.

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Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What version of WindowBlinds, I have 4.51 registered, latest build. Just downloaded a skin I know had changed system
fonts when had 4.4, is not changing fonts with 4.51. WindowBlinds is not flakey, you will sometimes experience issues
as the skins are made by people with varying levels of talent. 99.9% of problems will be skin or user related. When
there are bugs when new build is released they are corrected very quickly, as soon as reported by users.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hi Cavan1, thanks for your comments.

As far as I am concerned if I pay for software I expect it to work. Stardock is a reputable name and therefore, reputable writers should contribute to the features of the software. Or, the additions should be properly tested before they are released. I am not paying someone to test a 'beta' version of their skin!

I appreciate that some of the contributors have varying levels of talent and I also understand when you say that many problems are 'user' related. This is why I post my questions first and do not rant at the developers.

However, my experience thus far has shown that WindowBlinds definately DOES need more work on it. Either that, or as I said above, Stardock should thoroughly test all skins before they make them available for download. I have had text problems with Blackcomb (all versions), GT3 (all versions) and iSkin Right Extra. I doubt all the writers of these fine skins do not know how to control text. It is the program that needs to be refined.

WindowsBlinds is flakey. Having said that I will continue to use it (and continue to post questions), because I also think it is great. One of the best ways to improve software is to create a discussion board such as this so that problems can be noted and possible solutions can be incorporated in future releases of the software as a result of these posts.

Cheers and beers

MarkDym

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Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I had downloaded iSkin before my first reply, just deleted and redownloaded GT3, no problems with these skins for me.
No system fonts used in them. Address bar text, explorer bar text, copy, move, save, download text all default size.
That is Windows XP default size as is not being touched by WindowBlinds. Maybe corrupt downloads for you or a settings issue on your end. It may be a screen resolution issue.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I doubt all the writers of these fine skins do not know how to control text. It is the program that needs to be refined.


The problems you are referring to are all skin related. It's not windowblinds. When authors don't set all possible settings or flirt with some touchy settings it will cause problems with the next skin you apply. In that case you have to do exactly what you already found out. You only need to reboot when it is a font issue. A text color issue just requires you to set the xp default skin and then restart windowblinds.
Wincustomize can't test every skin thoroughly. It takes alot of time to do that and they can't be expected to. During the GUI olympics they were testing skins a little more than normal and even that became overwhelming.
I have seen skins that tested fine using 10 -15 different testers and then after release a whole bunch of bugs popped up.
Sorry I misread your initial post. I hate when people do that.

A light skin by a seasoned skinner running a non beta version of windowblinds will not give you any problems. I for one wish every skin was tested thoroughly. That's why we set up the skinartistry workshop but unfortunately too many people are in a rush to get their skin released and don't take the extra couple days necessary for a good testing. It's a free service and it will save people alot of hassle. I think it's ego not wanting to let other people know they got help from someone.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks Cavan1 and Master Apprentice Night Train for your helpful comments.

I now understand the process a little better. I have not had any more problems with iSkin, and will be a little less demanding from now on!

Maybe the authors of GT3 and Blackcomb can revisit their creations and see if the invisible text conundrum can be solved. I hope so, as I think these are awesome.

Thanks again

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