====== Why Sans-Serif? ======
WIRIS_editor has adopted //sans-serif// typesetting as default option for rendering formulas, because it's better for screens.
===== What's the difference? =====
Let’s compare a formula with a //serif// font vs //sans-serif// font:
^ Serif typesetting (Times New Roman) ^ Sans-serif typesetting (Arial) ^
| {{sans-serif-4.png|}} | {{sans-serif-3.png|}} |
If we zoom into the characters, we will see the difference between //serif// and
//sans-serif// font typesetting which are mainly the red pixels:
^ Serif typesetting (Times New Roman) ^ Sans-serif typesetting (Arial) ^
| {{sans-serif-2.png|}} | {{sans-serif-1.png|}} |
//Serif// typefaces have more small details.
For instance, they usually have different width in different parts of a letter.
Compare the line-widths of the horizontal and oblique lines of the //serif// A.
===== So, why is sans-serif better? =====
* Most web sites are //sans-serif// based. In fact, it has become the //de facto// standard. //Sans-serif// is a better default, in order for the formulas to follow the surrounding text style.
* Screens, up to now, have less definition than printed paper; compare 96dpi vs 300dpi. //Sans-serif// has no small details to preserve.
* If there is no serif then characters take less space. In other words: given a fixed external size, a formula in //sans-serif// has bigger characters than the same formula in //serif//.
* //Sans-serif// looks more modern and stylish. Students like it better. (Well, that's our opinion. ;-P)
===== Examples =====
^ W3C sample ^ WIRIS editor ^
| {{/testsuite/presentation/css/mfenced/mfenced-08.png}} | |
| {{/testsuite/topics/elementarymathexamples/rec3-elementarymathexamples-07.png}} | |
| {{/testsuite/topics/largeop/int2.png}} | |