4

Should viewing of programs be a problem to you, it is first recommended to have a monitor of sufficient size to handle any sight deficiencies you may have.

A monitor of 15" diagonal whether laptop or desktop will grossly limit your viewing experiences.

With the new LCD monitors today and their continuous drop in prices, 19" would be a minimum to consider.

If you feel your monitor is satisfactory for the applications you use, perhaps all it needs, is to be properly adjusted.

Your monitor should be directly in front of you, somewhere between 20 and 28 inches. The top of the screen should be at eye level or just slightly below for your focus to be slightly downward.

When small type is too difficult to read from this distance, increase the font size instead of moving the monitor or leaning forward.

Your keyboard should be directly in front of and parallel to your monitor. This keeps the same distance and focus from your monitor and keyboard.

If you have notes to consult as you work, use a document holder at the same level as your monitor to reduce eye and neck strain.

Use proper lighting, table or desk lamps are better than overhead. Block lighting causing glare on the screen. Too dark can be as much of a problem as too much lighting.

Keep your monitor screen clean as per manufacturer's instructions. Some cleaners can damage your screen by removing anti-glare surfaces. Never, ever spray a cleaner directly to a monitor surface.

	Right click on a bare spot on your Desktop and select Properties.
	Select the Appearance tab.
	Select the Effects button
	Place a check mark next to Use the following method to smooth... and chose ClearType
	Click on OK
	Click on OK again to close the Display Properties window.

For more ClearType control, select, download and install ClearType Tuner Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP

Display Properties has many variables to work with and you have to use the trial and error method to find settings suitable to your situation. Some of the more important are listed below.

Different graphic card manufacturers have different settings. Use the ? for assistance. Use the Internet to connect to your graphic card and monitor OEMs for driver updates and Product Support

Right click on a bare spot on your Desktop and select Properties.

Select the Settings tab

Set the Screen resolution to its lowest point.

Click on the Apply button

Click on OK again to close the Display Properties window.

Open a few applications to see if you have accomplished what you were looking for.

If you find this is still not satisfactory, go to the next step below

	When you have selected the Settings tab, click on the Advanced button
	Select the General tab
	Under Display, adjust the DPI setting: (See Note: below)
	Click on the Apply button
	Click on OK
	Click on OK again to close the Display Properties window
	Note: For more info, click on the ? in the upper right corner of the window
	When the mouse pointer changes to , click on the DPI setting: field

Open a few applications to see if you have accomplished what you were looking for.

Again, if you find this is still not satisfactory, go to the next step below

	When you have the Display Properties open, select the Appearance tab
	Select Font size: to chose
	Click on Apply
	Click on OK to close the Display Properties window

Open a couple of applications to test your new settings

Still not satisfied?

Proceed to the next step

When you have the Display Properties open, select the Appearance tab

	Click on the Advanced button
	When the Advanced Appearance window opens, click on the Item: field to display available changes you can select to create your own preferences on how windows will be displayed
	Font: are selectable as well as their Size:, Color: Bold and Italic
	When your choices are selected, click on OK to close the Advanced Appearance window
	Click again on OK to close the Display Properties window

This is a trial and error method and can only be done by yourself to achieve settings to your own personal liking.

Word Processors, Spreadsheets, Graphics and many other programs have a Zoom option.

Go to the Menu bar and click on View and select Zoom to display a window similar to the one shown here on the right.

Many applications have the Zoom feature available on the Tool bar.

Click on the feature and select a setting to your preference.

You can also set a Custom setting just by typing in the Zoom you wish.

Look for a Magnifying Glass on the Tool bars, it is another indicator of Zoom.

All Internet Browsers have a Zoom of some type

IE 6 -

	Click View on the Menu bar
	Select Text Size
	Select one of Smallest to Largest
	Graphic sizes are NOT changed

Firefox -

	Click View on the Menu bar
	Select Text Size
	Select Increase Ctrl++ or
	Select Decrease Ctrl+- or
	Select Normal Ctrl+0 (zero)
	There is no limit to the size of text
	Graphic sizes are NOT changed

You can add an Image Zoom extension to Firefox and it will allow you to resize graphics on the web page you are viewing.

Click "HERE" to see what it can do for you if you have Firefox installed

Click "HERE" to add the extension to Firefox

IE 7 - Option 1

	Click View on the Menu bar
	Select Text Size
	Select one of Smallest to Largest
	Graphic sizes are NOT changed

IE 7 - Option 2

Click View on the Menu bar

Select Status Bar

At the right hand side of the Status Bar, clicking on 100% will increase the Zoom to 125%.

Click again will increase the Zoom to 150%.

Click again to return the Zoom to 100%

Click on next to 100% to display a sub menu

Select an option from Custom... to Zoom In Ctrl +

Graphic sizes are changed

IE 6, IE 7 and Firefox browsers can also be Zoomed In and Out with your mouse scroll wheel when you hold down one of the Ctrl keys on your keyboard.

Text AND graphic sizes for IE 7 will change using this method.

If you experience constant eye strain when using your computer, it is recommended you should consult your eye doctor. A pair of eyeglasses specifically adjusted for the distance to your monitor could be beneficial. Bifocals, trifocals and progressive lenses will cause eye and neck strain when users are forced to hold their heads at a specific angle to work with the monitor.

It is important to take care of our eyes, we only have one pair.