how about setting the default font of the TWiki pages to a sans-serif font by saying something like font-family: arial, helvetica, verdana, sans-serif somewhere in the templates?

Sans-serif fonts are much easier to read on a screen IMHO. Maybe this could be an option in WebPreferences?

-- MatthiasWientapper - 11 Feb 2003

The as-shipped twiki skins do not specify any font at all, only font sizes. If you see Times New Roman it is because that is the default font set in your browser. If you much prefer sans-serif, set your that to be your browser default and then twiki sites -- and any other websites you encounter in the wild -- which don't specify fonts will use your preferences.

In any case, the methods currently available are: 1) use a skin which uses fonts you like, or offers the ability to specify them. There are several available. 2) See DefaultFontSetting which outlines a quick way to add stylesheets to the default twiki templates.

-- MattWilkie - 11 Feb 2003

The standard templates in TWiki do not specify a font family be design, in order to respect the user preference as Matt pointed out.

-- PeterThoeny - 12 Feb 2003

Personally I don't like overriding font settings by defining a default font in my browser. DefaultFontSetting is in fact the topic I was looking for.

Short note: Generally I like TWiki very much but many people say that it is ugly. I am no html/css wizzard so I better leave it to others... I bet by providing a really professional looking layout, something that looks quite expensive, TWiki would attract twice as many users.

-- MatthiasWientapper - 12 Feb 2003

> Sans-serif fonts are much easier to read on a screen IMHO
Agreed -- personally.
There are convincing arguments for fonts designed specifically for screen rendering like Verdana, Georgia, Geneva, Chicago, Trebuchet etc which are not necessarily sans serif [ Joe Gillespie 2001]. But current evidence does not really support this [ Michael L Bernard 2002]. Conclusion: it depends on you.

> Personally I don't like overriding font settings by defining a default font in my browser
The font settings of your browser do not override settings provided by the page. It is the other way round. I think it is a very wise decision by TWiki not to override my favourite font, size and colors. (Minor glitch: the %BGCOLOR usage assumes light background and dark font settings.) Of course, this does not apply to print skins.

> I bet by providing a really professional looking layout,
> something that looks quite expensive, TWiki would attract twice as many users
Agreed, except: expensive = professional

-- PeterKlausner 15 Feb 2003