Closed InnerPeaceJerryC closed 5 years ago
antijingoist
commented
5 years ago Hi @InnerPeaceJerryC, Amazon controls the typeface metrics on their devices. The Kindles have line spacing options, and include OpenDyslexic. It may be worth sending their support a request to enable larger font sizes if needed.
OpenDyslexic3 does have larger glyphs and better spacing, which may be better for her.
InnerPeaceJerryC
commented
5 years ago Hi Abbie,
I did a lot of googling on this, and many people have been asking Amazon to increase the font options for low vision readers for years. Back when the original Kindle came out, some people figured out how to jailbreak those Kindles and load bigger fonts. They took the path I suggested, i.e., scaling the fonts bigger, and it worked. Those hack files don't work on the newer Kindles because they are .bin files of scaled Helvetica fonts. Newer Kindles need .ttf files.
Amazon finally took some big steps forward recently, adding your font, allowing custom fonts, and even making some options for larger sized fonts, but, I don't know what it will take to get them to go even further. I figured you folks would be able hack this problem much faster than it would take to get Amazon to take another step.
My mother is already maxed out. She can only read her Kindle, with your font and no other, at maximum size, contrast, and boldness. If her sight loss trend continues, she won't be able to read her Kindle soon unless I can find another solution.
I believe scaled .ttf files of OpenDyslexic (or OpenDyslexic3) would work on the newer Kindles, without waiting for Amazon to increase the font size. The hack solution I read was to decrease the em size, but don't change anything else. The example said to change a 1000 em to 909 to make the font 10% larger, etc. Admittedly, it's a hack, but it might just work or, it might just need a few other tweaks.
I will try OpenDyslexic3. So far, I have only been able to find the regular and bold, but I could just use the OpenDyslexic font files for Italic and BoldItalic so her Kindle will have a complete set.
I also noticed you have slowed moving forward with this font because some research with it did not show the promise you had hoped. Maybe you need to rename it openlowvision or openmacular and move forward that way instead of limiting your reach to just dyslexics.
When my mother saw her Kindle with this font, she lit up like people do when you fit them with the right glasses. Two other fonts specifically designed for people with low vision, APHont and Tiresias, did nothing more for her than Verdana.
Thank you for your work on this project. It is wonderful to see Mom reading again.
antijingoist
commented
5 years ago I also noticed you have slowed moving forward with this font because some research with it did not show the promise you had hoped. Maybe you need to rename it openlowvision or openmacular and move forward that way instead of limiting your reach to just dyslexics.
Two children, two jobs, and illness will slow things down. The ( well, one ) whole point of OpenDyslexic was to continue updating it based on new research. 🤔 Although I did do some low vision testing with it.
AFAIK, Amazon no longer allows custom typefaces to be installed on Kindle devices.
InnerPeaceJerryC
commented
5 years ago Two children, two jobs, and illness will slow things down.
I understand.
The ( well, one ) whole point of OpenDyslexic was to continue updating it based on new research. thinking Although I did do some low vision testing with it.
I only tested it on my mother, but the difference was amazing.
AFAIK, Amazon no longer allows custom typefaces to be installed on Kindle devices.
That changed in June of this year. I was able to load APHont and Tiresias, but they didn't do anything for her. OpenDyslexic did. I haven't tried OpenDyslexic3 yet, but I plan to next week.
What do you think about just being able to hack the em size? Would that do anything, even if it breaks some standard?
Thanks for exploring this, and for everything you have already done.
antijingoist
commented
5 years ago The typeface will continue as it's current size, but because Amazon now allows custom fonts, email me and I'll look into building a larger-sized version for you.
InnerPeaceJerryC
commented
5 years ago That would be so great. She has an HD fire 7th generation now and is on the biggest size.
On Sat, Sep 7, 2019, 4:43 PM Abbie Gonzalez notifications@github.com wrote:
The typeface will continue as it's current size, but because Amazon now allows custom fonts, email me and I'll look into building a larger-sized version for you.
— You are receiving this because you authored the thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/antijingoist/opendyslexic/issues/7?email_source=notifications&email_token=AB44IIUNUAG6D36BPXLQIUDQIQG57A5CNFSM4IK2VRM2YY3PNVWWK3TUL52HS4DFVREXG43VMVBW63LNMVXHJKTDN5WW2ZLOORPWSZGOD6FB5GA#issuecomment-529145496, or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AB44IIT3R3CV6X2CG76CHJDQIQG57ANCNFSM4IK2VRMQ .
My mother has macular and reads a Kindle. Open-dyslexic is her favorite font. The problem is she's on the largest font her Kindle will display, and her vision is getting worse.
If there were a way to make versions the font larger at their base so the would display larger on the screen at the same font size, that would be ideal. I'm thinking maybe scaled 110, 120, and 130% if possible.
This may violate some official spec for fonts, but it's a hack that could work, and that's more important. If the added height cramps the line spacing, that won't be a problem because we can adjust the line spacing on the Kindle.
I expect my mother is only one of many who would benefit from this. Something like this on a different font for the original Kindles, and people liked it, but those files don't work on modern Kindles, nor do they use this font.
Thank you for any help you can be on this.