Screen Fonts for MEGA 65 Books

I like the left one more - at least onn the scree it has a better sharpness (Kontrast).

Hi,

you ight should label your examples different, but nice work !

I prefer the Top one (left one ?)

In my opinion the first (left/top) font which has solid characters is better readable than the second “crt like” font.

The font left looks good. Reducing the readability just to make it look more authentic, should be avoided IMHO.

Also, I suggest to not use white text on black background for the code examples in the manual, as this makes it generally harder to read.

Zitat von Bit Shifter

The MEGA 65 documentations contains a lot of code snippets, set in a screen font, that mimicks a screen snapshot.

I created two fonts so far. Which one do you like better?

The second one (right one) is my favorite one.

Zitat von Bit Shifter

OK, so far all preferred the solid font with no scan lines.

Paul from MEGA65 preferred it too.

But syshack had the interesting idea of changing the colours.

What about this: It reminds me on my very first own computer, a CBM 3032.

Alles anzeigen

i like this one most. i think, one of the goals with the MEGA65 manual is, to stay as close as possible with the original c64 manual., from a layout point of view.

The green has indeed a kind of "original" look and it is very nicely readable !

But, it's not me to decide. In the original manual the code examples were black/white.

But the above color scheme is definately an improvement in the right direction !

Zitat von Bit Shifter

Well, next survey:

Which colour scheme would you like to have in the manual?

1) White on black

2) White on blue (the C65/MEGA65 default colours)

3) Green on black (like the first PET/CBM computers)

I like number 1 (white on black). It's very good to read.

Can I ask what is the intended way of printing for the manual?

If it is a PDF for the users to print on their own, e.g. on a laser or inkjet printer, big ink-intense areas may be also an issue for private printing -> lower quality than ordering it at a print shop and also higher ink costs per page.

Also, what looks great here on our self-illuminating screens may not seem so great printed on paper.

A few test prints might help to make a decision.

My personal opinion is here (experience in my past from various brochures designed for printing) that a dark background a with light text color is hard to read on paper and the characters weight is being "drown" in the darkness surounding them, making the line weight looking thinner and therefore harder to read.

Zitat von syshack

If it is a PDF for the users to print on their own, e.g. on a laser or inkjet printer, big ink-intense areas may be also an issue for private printing -> lower quality than ordering it at a print shop and also higher ink costs per page.

Also, what looks great here on our self-illuminating screens may not seem so great printed on paper.

A few test prints might help to make a decision.

Why printing a PDF on paper? I only print PDFs if I have to send them with a letter (bills or such kind of stuff).

I read most PDF on a tablet which I can handle like a normal book.

IIRC, I recall in the Brotkastenfreunde Podcast Interview, Paul mentioned that the hardware will have a nice manual as in the good old Commodore days.

That said, it is unclear to me if the hardware will be shipped with a printed manual or just with a PDF to be downloaded.

Many Mega65 users will probably want to have a printed manual like back in the day, so if there is not a printed copy included in the package, printing a PDF at home or professionally in a print shop with binding might be an option.

BTW, here is an excerpt of page 51 of the English C64 User's Guide 1982 Edition.

Dot Matrix printout on white paper background and screenshots of the screen output in Black.

Zitat von syshack

That said, it is unclear to me if the hardware will be shipped with a printed manual or just with a PDF to be downloaded.

Many Mega65 users will probably want to have a printed manual like back in the day, so if there is not a printed copy included in the package, printing a PDF at home or professionally in a print shop with binding might be an option.

The MEGA65 manual has 415 pages (at the moment). I don't think that someone print them at home. A printshop will be an option for a "real" manual.

But I think the MEGA65 team has the intention to sell the MEGA65 with a printed manual.

Zitat von Bit Shifter

Well, next survey:

Which colour scheme would you like to have in the manual?

1) White on black

2) White on blue (the C65/MEGA65 default colours)

3) Green on black (like the first PET/CBM computers)

Alles anzeigen

Of course, as it is the manual for the MEGA65 it should be the original MEGA65 color scheme.

A printed manual is cheaper, if you use as few colors as possible.

Zitat von manne_sahne

A printed manual is cheaper, if you use as few colors as possible.

Might be the printed maual should be optional anyways, so if one only chooses the digital one, it would reduce cost for him.

I think then for the others, doing a tradeoff on colors for money would not pay out.

I would love to have a manual. If its optional its a no brainer to spend money for it, too.

... 2) ist my favorite

My opinion:

- readability comes first

- green on black is PET-style, but this is a MEGA65

- the narrow font is authentic, but it's also a bit hard to read