Bad Eyesight - Thunderbird: Difference between revisions

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__NOTOC__
==Addons and Tweaks==
 
* There are a few themes designed for high contrast at the [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/themes/ Mozilla Add-ons web site].
 
* The [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/162063/ Theme font & size changer] add-on for Firefox and Thunderbird changes fonts/font sizes in menus, toolbars etc., but not within a message. Unfortunately the add-on automatically expired January 5, 2018! See http://www.rossde.com/ThemeFontSizeChangerNoexpire/index.html for a modified version that doesn't expire. [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=3037118]
 
* Change the font/font size in messages by using [[Menu_differences_in_Windows,_Linux,_and_Mac | Tools -> Options]] -> Display -> Fonts -> Advanced, and set "minimum font size" and consider unchecking "allow messages to use other fonts". If you don't want to change the font size you can set View -> Message Body As > Simple HTML, which removes some display formatting within the message such as font sizes and colors. It may not look as nice, but you can read the small print again.
 
* The [http://nic-nac-project.org/~kaosmos/realborders-en.html QuoteAndComposeManager] add-on lets you specify a fixed-size font in the headers for HTML mail .
 
* The [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/no-small-text/ No small text] add-on lets you set a minimum size for all HTML text and switch it on and off with a toolbar button. It supports three preset sizes. Its supposedly compatible with add-ons similar to Firefox's NoSquint add-on.
 
* [[Pane and menu fonts]] has CSS snippets you can add to a optional [[UserChrome.css]] file to change the font, font size, and other attributes of fonts. [http://eriwen.com/css/tweaking-thunderbirds-chrome/ Personalize your Thunderbird by changing it’s chrome] also has some useful CSS snippets. If you don't want to learn how to use a CSS snippet you could try using a already customized CSS style from [http://userstyles.org/ UserStyles.org] using the [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/stylish/ Stylish for Thunderbird] add-on. For example, [http://userstyles.org/styles/2437 TwisterMc's "Make TB labels stand out"] style tries to make it easier to see tagged messages and the [http://userstyles.org/styles/201 list box alternating row bg colors] style configures alternating rows to use a different background color in list boxes/folder listings.
 
* "Control +" (using the auxiliary keypad), "Control Shift +" (using the main keyboard) and View -> Zoom changes the zoom setting (before Thunderbird 24 that changed the font size instead) when reading or writing a message. That setting is not sticky, i.e. when you exit and restart Thunderbird you'll have to do it again.  That is why it is typically easier to use an add-on or CSS snippet to have a permanent change. If you can't zoom, try temporarily disabling all add-ons using [[Safe mode]] (not to be confused with Windows safe mode) to see if an add-on is the culprit.
 
* The [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/thunderbird/addon/montezooma/ Montezooma] add-on adds zooming capabilities to the message window. The [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/thunderbird/addon/image-zoom/ ImageZoom] add-on lets you zoom images.
 
* The [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/compose-for-thunderbird/ Compose for Thunderbird] add-on is an experimental add-on that replaces the built-in editor, based on the existing [http://ckeditor.com/ CKEditor] WYSIWYG Text and HTML editor. It is not full functionality and has many bugs, but you might want to investigate if it makes things easier.
 
* The [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/noiascrollbars/ NewScrollbars] add-on lets you change the width, color and/or background color of the scroll bar to provide a high contrast scroll bar.
 
* The [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/gmail-conversation-view/ Thunderbird Conversations] add-on reduces the font size in conversations. See [https://github.com/protz/thunderbird-conversations/wiki/Fonts Summary on Thunderbird Conversations & fonts] for how to change its scaling.


==Sending Messages==
==Sending Messages==


There isn't much you can do to make a plain text message more easily readable. However, you can change the font and font size and bold the text in a HTML message to make it easier to read. The easiest way to do this is to create a [[message template]] and use it to create a new message whenever you send a message to somebody with poor eyesight. If you have any sort of organized data consider putting it in a table.
There isn't much you can do to make a plain text message more easily readable. However, you can change the font and font size and bold the text in a HTML message to make it easier for the recipient to read it. The easiest way to do this is to create a [[Message_templates|message template]] and use it to create a new message whenever you send a message to somebody with poor eyesight. If you have any sort of organized data consider putting it in a table.


==Reading Messages==
Use fixed font sizes for sending your messages with caution. In general, you can assume that the recipient will have made adjustment to his or her settings optimum for their needs, thus you may inadvertently override such settings.


There are a few themes designed for high contrast at the [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/themes/ Mozilla Add-ons web site].
==Thunderbird 5.0 and later==


The [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/162063/ Theme font & size changer] add-on works with both Firefox and Thunderbird. It changes the fonts/font sizes in menus, toolbars etc. but not within a message. You can change the font/font size in messages using Tools -> Options -> Display -> Fonts -> Advanced. The author also wrote a [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6827/ Page Zoom button] add-on for Firefox that might be useful.
Thunderbird 5.0 has [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct2D Direct2D] font rendering enabled by default on Windows platforms which support it (so does Firefox 4.0+ and SeaMonkey 2.1+). This is in addition to the ClearType handling described below. If the fonts remain difficult to read after adjusting the ClearType settings, go into Tools → Options → Advanced → General and click on Config Editor. Switch the gfx.direct2d.disabled setting to "true" by double-clicking on it to disable the D2D feature. You need to restart Thunderbird to see its effect.


[[Pane and menu fonts]] has CSS snippets you can add to a optional [[UserChrome.css]] file to change the font, font size, and other attributes of fonts. You could also use already customized CSS styles from [http://userstyles.org/ UserStyles.org] using the [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/stylish/ Stylish for Thunderbird] add-on. For example, [http://userstyles.org/styles/2437 TwisterMc's "Make TB labels stand out"] style tries to make it easier to see tagged messages and the [http://userstyles.org/styles/201 list box alternating row bg colors] style configures alternating rows to use a different background color in list boxes/folder listings.  
If you are using the High Contrast desktop themes on Windows 7 or Vista, hard-wired colors and gradients introduced during the redesign of the "aero" default theme may make reading the menu bar and the toolbar buttons difficult ([https://bug608792.bugzilla.mozilla.org/attachment.cgi?id=495206 screendumps]). There is a [[UserChrome.css|userChrome.css]] workaround available to increase visibility of the menu and button texts ([https://bug608792.bugzilla.mozilla.org/attachment.cgi?id=535879 CSS code], [https://bug608792.bugzilla.mozilla.org/attachment.cgi?id=535880 screendump]).


There is a limit to what you can do within Thunderbird. It might be better to try to use some of the accessibility features of your operating system instead of tweaking each application.
==Other solutions==


* If you're using Windows run the accessibility wizard at Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Accessibility. If that doesn't help there is always Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Accessibility -> Magnifier
Try accessibility features of your operating system, which can be better than what is possible within Thunderbird.  


* Chose a high contrast theme by selecting the Appearance tab in the Display Properties control panel, and then Color Scheme.
* Windows users can use the accessibility wizard at Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Ease of Access or Accessibilty.  


* If you have a a LCD monitor, use the [http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartypepowertoy.mspx cleartype tuner powertoy] to tune the the text to your eyesight.
* Try the Windows Classic or a High Contrast theme by selecting the Appearance tab in the Display Properties of Control Panel, and then Color Scheme. On Windows 7, right-click on the desktop and select Personalize from the context menu.  (Default and other desktop themes on Windows 7 and Vista employ a "glass" effect with transparency, which may make it hard to recognize text and shapes.)
 
* For LCD monitors, use the [http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartypepowertoy.mspx cleartype tuner powertoy] to tune the the text to your eyesight. On Windows 7, right-click on the Desktop and select Personalize from the context menu, then select Display and choose the "Adjust ClearType text" category. If you prefer unsmoothed (crisp) fonts, uncheck "Turn on ClearType" to avoid font smoothing.


* [http://www.nuance.com/dragon/index.htm Dragon Naturally Speaking] is speech recognition software, but it also has a text-to-speech option. You might buy something like that to speak what you are reading.
* [http://www.nuance.com/dragon/index.htm Dragon Naturally Speaking] is speech recognition software, but it also has a text-to-speech option. You might buy something like that to speak what you are reading.
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==External Links==
==External Links==


* [http://www.marcozehe.de/ Macros's accessibility] blog discusses Firefox and Thunderbird.
* [http://www.marcozehe.de/ Marcos's accessibility blog] discusses Firefox and [http://www.marcozehe.de/category/thunderbird/ Thunderbird].
* [http://ascher.ca/blog/2008/08/06/low-vision-theme-for-thunderbird/#comments David Ascher blog entry about low vision theme]
* [http://blog.ascher.ca/2008/08/06/low-vision-theme-for-thunderbird/ David Ascher blog entry about low vision theme]
* [http://www.accessfirefox.org/ AccessFirefox] web site has tools and resources for Firefox users with disabilities. While Firefox-centric there are useful themes in the list of Firefox Accessibility themes for Thunderbird.
 
==Bug reports==
 
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=233513 No text zoom in Seamonkey composer]
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=177510 No text zoom in Thunderbird composer] - Fixed in Thunderbird 24


[[Category:Configuration (Thunderbird)]]
[[Category:Configuration (Thunderbird)]]
[[Category:Visual_customizations_(Thunderbird)]]
[[Category:Visual_customizations_(Thunderbird)]]

Revision as of 12:33, 8 January 2018

This article was written for Thunderbird but also applies to Mozilla Suite / SeaMonkey (though some menu sequences may differ).

Addons and Tweaks

  • Change the font/font size in messages by using Tools -> Options -> Display -> Fonts -> Advanced, and set "minimum font size" and consider unchecking "allow messages to use other fonts". If you don't want to change the font size you can set View -> Message Body As > Simple HTML, which removes some display formatting within the message such as font sizes and colors. It may not look as nice, but you can read the small print again.
  • The No small text add-on lets you set a minimum size for all HTML text and switch it on and off with a toolbar button. It supports three preset sizes. Its supposedly compatible with add-ons similar to Firefox's NoSquint add-on.
  • "Control +" (using the auxiliary keypad), "Control Shift +" (using the main keyboard) and View -> Zoom changes the zoom setting (before Thunderbird 24 that changed the font size instead) when reading or writing a message. That setting is not sticky, i.e. when you exit and restart Thunderbird you'll have to do it again. That is why it is typically easier to use an add-on or CSS snippet to have a permanent change. If you can't zoom, try temporarily disabling all add-ons using Safe mode (not to be confused with Windows safe mode) to see if an add-on is the culprit.
  • The Montezooma add-on adds zooming capabilities to the message window. The ImageZoom add-on lets you zoom images.
  • The Compose for Thunderbird add-on is an experimental add-on that replaces the built-in editor, based on the existing CKEditor WYSIWYG Text and HTML editor. It is not full functionality and has many bugs, but you might want to investigate if it makes things easier.
  • The NewScrollbars add-on lets you change the width, color and/or background color of the scroll bar to provide a high contrast scroll bar.

Sending Messages

There isn't much you can do to make a plain text message more easily readable. However, you can change the font and font size and bold the text in a HTML message to make it easier for the recipient to read it. The easiest way to do this is to create a message template and use it to create a new message whenever you send a message to somebody with poor eyesight. If you have any sort of organized data consider putting it in a table.

Use fixed font sizes for sending your messages with caution. In general, you can assume that the recipient will have made adjustment to his or her settings optimum for their needs, thus you may inadvertently override such settings.

Thunderbird 5.0 and later

Thunderbird 5.0 has Direct2D font rendering enabled by default on Windows platforms which support it (so does Firefox 4.0+ and SeaMonkey 2.1+). This is in addition to the ClearType handling described below. If the fonts remain difficult to read after adjusting the ClearType settings, go into Tools → Options → Advanced → General and click on Config Editor. Switch the gfx.direct2d.disabled setting to "true" by double-clicking on it to disable the D2D feature. You need to restart Thunderbird to see its effect.

If you are using the High Contrast desktop themes on Windows 7 or Vista, hard-wired colors and gradients introduced during the redesign of the "aero" default theme may make reading the menu bar and the toolbar buttons difficult (screendumps). There is a userChrome.css workaround available to increase visibility of the menu and button texts (CSS code, screendump).

Other solutions

Try accessibility features of your operating system, which can be better than what is possible within Thunderbird.

  • Windows users can use the accessibility wizard at Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Ease of Access or Accessibilty.
  • Try the Windows Classic or a High Contrast theme by selecting the Appearance tab in the Display Properties of Control Panel, and then Color Scheme. On Windows 7, right-click on the desktop and select Personalize from the context menu. (Default and other desktop themes on Windows 7 and Vista employ a "glass" effect with transparency, which may make it hard to recognize text and shapes.)
  • For LCD monitors, use the cleartype tuner powertoy to tune the the text to your eyesight. On Windows 7, right-click on the Desktop and select Personalize from the context menu, then select Display and choose the "Adjust ClearType text" category. If you prefer unsmoothed (crisp) fonts, uncheck "Turn on ClearType" to avoid font smoothing.
  • Dragon Naturally Speaking is speech recognition software, but it also has a text-to-speech option. You might buy something like that to speak what you are reading.

See Also

Forum Links

External Links

Bug reports