Readability

__**Readability**__ is the ability to be read or deciphered. It can be defined as something that is easy or enjoyable to read.

 * Particular attention should be given to the needs of the elderly. The condition of hardened, less flexible lenses, together with reduced light transmission into the eye, affects most people over age 45.


 * //Example 1://** Text to be read should have high contrast. Black text should be preferred on white or pale yellow backgrounds. Try to avoid gray backgrounds.


 * //Example 2://** Use font sizes that are big enough to be readable on typical monitors. Preferring particularly large characters for the actual intended data you wish to display, diferring from labels and instructions. For example, the label, "First Name," can be relatively small. Habitually people are familiar with this label. The actual first name entered, should be plainly readable. Especially for numbers.


 * //Example 3://** A web survey was conducted in order to investigate which font types were most popular for the web and the differences of effective reading speed (which include time and accuracy). The fonts studied are as follows:

When the average reading time for each font type was analyzed significant differences were found. As shown by diagram below:



Comparing the various fonts shown we can see that Corsiva was the font most easily read out of the 12 and Tahoma the least readable of the 12 dispayed.


 * References:**
 * Tognazzini, Bruce . "First Principles of Interaction Design." __Ask Tog__. Neilson Norman Group. 7 Jan 2008 <[|http://www.asktog.com/basics/firstPrinciples.html>.]
 * Bernard, M.. "Usability News." __Software Usability Research Laboratory (SURL)__. 2001. Wichita State University. 17 Jan 2008 <[|http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/3S/font.htm>.]

Added by: ginadelis