Site of the Day for Friday, September 28, 2007 ClearType Tuner - Software of the Month Even a cursory glance at an LCD monitor is enough to convince anyone of the less than optimum quality of type on such displays. For those users of Windows XP, who have long since made the transition to an LCD monitor, or who toil unceasingly on their laptops, this little applet from the Microsoft Power Toys collection, may be just the ticket. Almost surprisingly, this utility, ClearType Tuner, does exactly what it claims to do -- it allows the user to easily improve the clarity of text on an LCD screen. Working rather like a visit to the optometrist, the configuration dialog box displays a series of text examples and asks the user to choose which one appears to be the clearest, rather like procedure for determining the best vision lenses. Upon completion of the configuration samples, the utility then adjusts the appearance of the text on a system-wide basis, so that browser text, dialogue boxes and the like are altered to the best possible setting. Many users will find that this little program can make a huge difference in overall legibility in any application which is primarily text-based -- such as e-mail. Unlike a new pair of specs, however, the settings can be instantly changed if the user decides that the clarity of the text could still be improved or the application can be turned off completely by simply unchecking a box.. The utility is installed as an applet in the Control Panel so that it's conveniently available for any further user alterations. The download is a reasonable 2.4 MB but the installation, affecting type on a system-wide basis, makes a number of registry changes. Particularly cautious users, who are not entirely reassured by the Microsoft brand, may feel more comfortable using a reliable uninstall application before adding this little applet to their line-up of control panel utilities. Pop over to the site for ClearType Tuner, located on the right side of page at: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx A.M. Holm <admin-sotd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Manage your subscription and view the List archives on the web at: <//www.freelists.org/cgi-bin/webpage?webpage_id=sotd> and <//www.freelists.org/archives/sotd> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSUBSCRIBE by sending a blank email to sotd-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with unsubscribe in the Subject field.