Friedbeef’s Tech

Stuck at work, staring at the computer screen for long hours? What can you do to help soothe your tired eyes? Here is the 2nd installment of tips you can use to help with this problem.

(Read part 1 for more tips)

1. Use Microsoft Clear Type

2. Use Off White Window Backgrounds

3. Adjust Firefox Fonts

4. Try Big.com

5. Change Your Physical Surroundings

6. Try Internet Explorer 7 Page Zoom

If you’re on the latest edition of Internet Explorer you can try this new feature called Page Zoom. You will find the User Interface for it in the lower right of the window.

Clicking on the zoom button will allow you to choose from a variety of preset zoom states ranging from 10% to 1000%. Just like Firefox Font Control, There is also mouse wheel access using the Ctrl key as well as keyboard access using the Ctrl key along with the + and – keys.

7. Change Monitor Size

You’d be surprised how much more efficient you become once you have new found screen real estate at your disposal. Larger screens mean a more readable screen with less scrolling.

Not only that, usability guru Jakob Nielsen estimates you can increase productivity by 105% in some cases simply by increasing your screen size from 17 to 30 inches.

8. Use Large Icons & Fonts

Notice how Web 2.0 sites generally have big shiny buttons? That’s because they’re pleasant to the eye, and much easier to interact with. You can get the same effect with your desktop by adjusting your Icon size. Click Control Panel –> Display Properties — > Appearance –> Effects –> Use Large Icons .

You don’t have to stop there - Why not make your Windows Text bigger and more readable while you’re at it? Click Control Panel –> Display Properties — > Appearance, and select large or extra large fonts.

9. Change Your Resolution & Screen Brightness

This is one of the most basic ways to make everything large - Simply lower your resolution. I’m not a big fan of this method because it defeats the whole purpose of having high resolution monitors, and forces you to scroll more! Click Control Panel –> Display Properties — > Settings –> Screen Resolution. Changing your screen brightness by adjusting your monitor is a failsafe method of recuding screen glare as well.

10. Try Windows Magnifier

For extreme cases you might want to try Window’s inbuilt magnifier. Note that this is largely for people with true eyesight disabilities rather than a regular user wanting to get a better screen experience. Click Start –> All Programs –> Accessories –> Accessibility –> Magnifier.

And there you have it… 10 ways to ensure your eyes are as fresh as possible after working on your computer :) Happy working!

(Read part 1 for more tips)