[scribus] font usage

[Craig]

Peter Nermander wrote:
>> The most important thing is legibility, somewhat subjective, but in
>> general a serif font will be more easily readable at small size than
>> sans-serif. Some people, I think, get lost in the idea of wanting a
>> "modern" look to the font, and sans-serif seems more sleek and modern.
>> As your eye scans across text, it can have a hard time differentiating
>> the number 1 from small letter l from capital I with some/many
>> sans-serif fonts, which means that your brain then must use the context
>> of surrounding letters, slowing the reading process and bringing about
>> some cognitive distraction. The result is subtle visual and mental fatigue.
> 
> As I understand it sans fonts are easier to read, but serif fonts are
> generally faster to read.
> 
> This comes down to how we read. People without reading problems read
> "word images", we don't read the individual letters in the words but
> just see the whole word and our brain interprets it correctly. There
> are examples if this where words are written with nonsense letters,
> but the words look like regular words unless you spell through therm
> (like I just showed:-).
> 
> But people with reading problems (or kids who are learning to read)
> read words one letter at a time. Then sans fonts are better because
> each letter stands by its own.
> 
> For user manuals and similar there is no need to read fast, it's more
> important to not misunderstand, but for a 300 pages novel reading
> speed makes a difference (and it's less severe if you missunderstand a
> word here and there).
> 

As an aside to the font question...

There is always a need to read fast.. if you have lots to do.

You can read fast and comprehend just as much. I once did a speed
reading  course and went from a lazy 500-600 words per minute to over
1800 wpm with *improved* comprehension.

Craig