Easy on the Eyes

Up to a couple of years ago, I suffered from really bad headaches. I would get them almost everyday and many of them turned into migraines. I actually had to go on some serious medication for awhile to combat the migraines, that's how bad it was at one point.

But not quite two years ago, the headaches started to subside. I couldn't figure this out until a few months passed when I realized why they were becoming less and less frequent - I had switched from a CRT monitor at work to a flat panel display. That one change was a lifesaver for my eyes, and thus for my head. It just made an amazing difference.

Couple that with ClearType and you can never go back. I mean, when I see a monitor nowadays without ClearType enabled, my eyes actually physically hurt. Without ClearType, on a CRT or LCD, everything is so grainy. And when I show ClearType to people, they can see the difference right away. Why Microsoft didn't enable that by default is beyond me. And a lot of people still don't know ClearType even exists or where to find the option to turn it on. Brilliant Microsoft marketing strikes again - film at 11!

So do yourself a favor, go to your boss and ask, no demand, for a flat panel LCD monitor. They might argue with you, as most of them do, but point them to this post and tell them that if they don't give into your demands, you'll send the company all your future medical bills and claim workers compensation. And I'm only half joking :-)

Print | posted on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 9:12 PM

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# re: Easy on the Eyes

left by Jim Holmes at 4/21/2005 4:16 AM
For those who don't know how (like me), here's a URL with info on turning on ClearType and some before/after screenshots.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/cleartype.mspx

# re: Easy on the Eyes

left by Dan Hounshell at 4/21/2005 4:55 AM
Dave, I had never even heard of ClearType before. Thanks - it makes a world of difference!!

# re: Easy on the Eyes

left by Jennifer at 4/21/2005 5:59 AM
thanks a lot for this. I have clear type on, and also have glasses now for computer work. I think I will ask for this.

# re: Easy on the Eyes

left by Brian Sherwin at 4/22/2005 10:28 AM
I haven't thought about this for a long time. So much so that I had to go look to see if I had it turned on. I did. I turned it off just to remind myself what life was like before--oh my word--that lasted all of about 10 seconds (the amount of time it takes to switch back). Good pointer.
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