Theocacao: Web Display Fonts on Mac OS X

Web Display Fonts on Mac OS X

I find the selection of web display fonts on Mac OS X rather lacking. There isn't a lot to choose from when it comes to using a font that is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to read.

I've tried all sorts of options for Theocacao, for example, but haven't found anything that works better than Lucida Grande 11. Outside of that, the only general-purpose sans-serif options are Verdana and Trebuchet. Considering how much web reading we do, I wish we had more to choose from.

It turns out Microsoft is coming out with new fonts in 2006, and they look quite good -- but this doesn't help me a whole lot. It would be nice if Apple gave this some more attention and got something out before next year. Maybe I'll file an enhancement request.

Perhaps the Mac OS X community could put together a font or a collection of fonts to use for sites, and distribute them via blogs. The main problem is, of course, distribution. People need to have the fonts installed before they can be used.

Web Display Fonts on Mac OS X
Posted Apr 8, 2005 — 2 comments below

Will Parker — May 27, 05 170

There are huge problems involved in the process of delivering a set of fonts that can be used on the Web. Aside from the 'simple' logistics of getting the fonts distributed to at least a couple million people in a manner that will ensure that the fonts actually get installed, there's the challenge of getting one or more font foundries to release their fonts for all uses for anyone who wants them. Both of the above tend to be expensive enough, but then you have to do extensive cross-platform testing to make sure that the fonts will act properly on at least Mac and Windows. The fonts have to be usable for both display and printing on a huge range of printers and operating system versions. (Believe me - I used to be the lead font tester for Mac Office.)

The 'simplest' method would be to get Adobe to release a batch of their (freakin' excellent!) OpenType fonts for use as Web fonts.

I wonder if I can get my buddies at Adobe to accept PayPal donations. };->

Greg — May 30, 05 181

Just would like to point out that there is a project called www.freetype.org which is used, for example, by MapServer (listed at osx.hyperjeff.net/apps). In addition there are such font resources as www.goodfonts.org or www.1001fonts.com. Perhaps there you will find one or the other useful website font as well.

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