Bloody Linux

[SiriusB]

A few days ago I had an issue with some positioning of text. I thought I had found the solution as my site looked good in both Windows and Linux.

However I have just tried another Linux [a live CD] and some text is in the wrong place. The only difference between the two versions of Linux is my own install has the MS core fonts installed. The Live CD does not.

Now this begs the question what fonts on Linux are very similar to Verdana or Arial [or at least fonts that wont screw up the positioning!]. No other website I have ever been on has any positioning problems when viewed in linux, even before I installed the MS fonts so I dunno what is going on.

 

[Freakish_05]

Fonts *shouldn't* screw up the positioning of things. Its very unusual. Unless your site is built around fixed size blocks.
There are three solutions to your probelm sirius.
1) Embedding the fonts in CSS - Only really works with I.E. iirc
2) Using the standard CSS fonts
^^ google both for relevent info
3) Make a download pack for viewers that they have to install before they view the site lol

 

[SiriusB]

I am beginning to suspect it is my approach but I do find it highly suspicious that two identical browsers on two identical Linux distributions can display my site differently. The ONLY difference between the two is the availability of MS fonts.

Back to the drawing board methinks.

 

[psyr33n]

A nice Verdana equivalent is Bitstream Vera Sans

Code your site to include those who have larger default fonts/font sizes—either liquid or elastic—an accessibility basic. However it is all contextual - how much does the layout break when bumping up the font size?

 

[SiriusB]

At the moment the site is static and with a quick test now can go up two text sizes and still be readable.

However with this strange positioning issue I may go back to the drawing board. I did consider a fluid layout at one point and I may well decide to do it.