I am sure most experienced Web authors know this, but some newer ones might not. A quick and handy way to incrementally zoom in and out when viewing a web page in Firefox or MSIE is via the keyboard: Zoom out: ctrl + (larger - repeat until desired size is obtained) Zoom in: ctrl - (smaller - repeat until desired size is obtained) Return to original size: ctrl 0 (zero) You can specify "change text size only" in Firefox via the top menu bar: View ---> Zoom ---> Zoom Text only (setting remains until changed). That is the way I configure my Firefox Browser -- the above keyboard parameters will now only change the text size leaving the image sizes as original. I mostly increase the text size by two or three increments when I visit web pages for better reading due to my diminished vision. I recommend anyone with the same problem (or if you have difficulty reading any small text) do likewise for better web use experience. James
Here is an expanded and updated compilation for zooming and/or changing text size via keyboard shortcuts (Windows O/S) when viewing web pages : When using MSIE ..... Zoom out: ctrl + (larger - repeat until desired size is obtained) Zoom in: ctrl - (smaller - repeat until desired size is obtained) Return to original size: ctrl 0 (zero) When using Firefox ..... same as with MSIE (You can specify "change text size only" in Firefox via the top menu bar: View ---> Zoom ---> Zoom Text only. Setting remains until changed. The above keyboard shortcuts will now only change the text size leaving the image sizes as original). When using Safari/Chrome ..... same as with MSIE except the keyboard shortcuts only change the text size leaving the image sizes as original. When using Opera ..... same as for Firefox/MSIE except use shift + for Zoom out. The above procedures are especially well suited for web page viewing by People with Disabilities who cannot use a mouse (duchenne muscular dystrophy, etc.) and therefor rely on stylus/keyboard functions. Visitors who use a scrolling mouse can zoom/increase text size very fast via ctrl scroll -- for all Browsers listed above -- keyboard shortcut ctrl 0 (zero) returns to original size. Web developers/authors might want to check pages they are composing to be sure navigation is not affected by incremental zooming (visitors will seldom zoom more than three increments). In my experience, many visitors (especially those with diminished vision) to web pages now increase the text size by one or two increments for easier reading especially when very small text is encountered. James
Thanks for the tip, never really new much about this function. Your vision is probably diminshing due to umpteen hours spent at the P.C, I think i need to reduce mine otherwise I could be needing specs in a few years.... Hopefully computer health and safety develops better in the future, otherwise a whole generation of people with back problems, eye problems and RSI is very possible. Anyways back on topic, I was considering implementing some buttons for users to increase the font-size, but I think I may go against this now, as my text is already at a decent size, and anybody who cannot read is likley to know about the tip mentioned here
You are welcome. And, unfortunately, advancing years! Yes, use of keyboard shortcuts by web page visitors is increasing significantly. James