Oldstyle figures for better statute number legibility

I've been re-evaluating fonts for WebLaws.org, and one issue that caught my eye is the style of the numerals. In running text, these proportional oldstyle numbers (font: Buenard) are perfect: they visually flow with the text. The wide variations in figure height and positioning help the reader unambiguously read the number. But in a vertical navigation bar, … Continue reading Oldstyle figures for better statute number legibility →

Reference text web fonts: ITC vs. URW Baskerville vs. Buenard vs. Caslon

I spent a couple of hours today looking at web fonts for legible reference text. After reading the New York Times experiment finding that Baskerville is "the king of fonts", I thought I'd give it a try, comparing it with a couple of others for legibility. I first researched web fonts that I could test … Continue reading Reference text web fonts: ITC vs. URW Baskerville vs. Buenard vs. Caslon →

Making the California Laws Easy to Read

I've been doing a lot of work to get the California Codes online, and I now have something to show for it. This is a screenshot of Business & Professions Code Section 22947.4, an anti-spyware statute. (Which is pretty cool; I wonder if Oregon has something similar. Anyone know?) For comparison, here's the original code … Continue reading Making the California Laws Easy to Read →

Good printouts — a frequently-requested feature

ORS statutes and glossary entries now look clean and elegant when printed directly from a browser. There's no separate "print" link or icon---just print from your browser's "File" menu, and the web page will re-format for paper. There were several requests for decent printouts in the feedback forum, and from friends. I found it a … Continue reading Good printouts — a frequently-requested feature →