Apple grayscale text

memtenn60 · Sep 20, 2011

I am a recent switcher to Apple. I have a 15" Macbook Pro. I love most of what Mac does even though I have a problem learning some of the new functions etc. I am a senior and am having a problem with my eyesite. One eye already is gone from macular degeneration and I have the beginnings of it in the other. My problem with all of the Apple documentation, instructions, websites, and anything in print is all the text is in grayscale as well as the headers and toolbars etc. The best example of a program I cannot even use because I cannot see it because of the grayscale is ical. The lines and text are so light I cannot read anything. So I have to look for other programs that the text etc is either black or I can change the color or make it larger to view.
I find this throughout Apple product programs and documentation.
Does anyone have any suggestions on making the screen easier to see. I have changed most of the preferences on as many programs as possible but there are so many that cannot be changed from what I can tell.
Thanks

alexwillard · Sep 20, 2011

Have you tried playing about with the accessibility settings in system preferences?

Gold68 · Sep 20, 2011

memtenn60 said:
I am a recent switcher to Apple. I have a 15" Macbook Pro. I love most of what Mac does even though I have a problem learning some of the new functions etc. I am a senior and am having a problem with my eyesite. One eye already is gone from macular degeneration and I have the beginnings of it in the other. My problem with all of the Apple documentation, instructions, websites, and anything in print is all the text is in grayscale as well as the headers and toolbars etc. The best example of a program I cannot even use because I cannot see it because of the grayscale is ical. The lines and text are so light I cannot read anything. So I have to look for other programs that the text etc is either black or I can change the color or make it larger to view.
I find this throughout Apple product programs and documentation.
Does anyone have any suggestions on making the screen easier to see. I have changed most of the preferences on as many programs as possible but there are so many that cannot be changed from what I can tell.
Thanks

Hey Memtenn60....I too have that same problem...I am very interested in any answers that you receive. I have also fuddled with all the preferences that I can think of. Lets have good luck on this one eh?
:Cool:

BRIAN

memtenn60 · Sep 20, 2011

Yes I agree Brian. I guess most people think it is cool or has some visual appeal. But no consideration for poor eyesight. I must admit with Microsoft/Windows you could change all settings of windows, folders, text, background etc. for the best readability. Lucky I still have a big 23" HP touchscreen Windows Vista for when I really need to see detailed projects or reading.
Let's hope someone can help. I have searched everywhere in preferences but nothing has made a difference yet.
Thanks for the note

osxx · Sep 20, 2011

The only thing that might help or not System Preferences > Universal Access > Seeing > White on Black . But would also be interested in making the print darker or black.

chscag · Sep 20, 2011

From the same Universal Access menu, try increasing the contrast. Depends a lot on the background lighting but it should help to darken things up for you. Another thing you might consider is an external display. Modern LED lighted displays have several adjustments for contrast, depth, and so forth which can help visually impaired persons to view better.

memtenn60 · Sep 21, 2011

Thanks,,,, guess my choice is to use my HP 23" touchscreen with Windows Vista when I need to do a lot of document reading... I am disappointed that Apple does not have better customization of text and background etc.

memtenn60 · Sep 25, 2011

Grayscale text

To those that have replied to my post regarding the grayscale text on Apple documents and text. I would like to ask the Mac-Forum administrators if they can change their forum text to black instead of gray. As I mentioned I have lost vision in one eye and am beginning to lose it in the other and the gray text is very difficult to read, and all of the text on the Forum posts are gray.
As I write this post, the text is black and easy to read, but when it is posted it is gray and more difficult to read. I am sure I am not the only person with this problem, as some of us senior citizens are switching to Mac's too.

chscag · Sep 25, 2011

There's really not much we can do about the gray text as that is driven by the software which is used to display the forums. The Staff has no control over that.

I don't know which browser you're using, but you might try switching to another browser and see if that will help. Chrome (by Google) has viewing enhancements including one that enlarges text. I also notice the text appears darker when I use Chrome versus Safari.

Gold68 · Sep 25, 2011

chscag said:
There's really not much we can do about the gray text as that is driven by the software which is used to display the forums. The Staff has no control over that.

I don't know which browser you're using, but you might try switching to another browser and see if that will help. Chrome (by Google) has viewing enhancements including one that enlarges text. I also notice the text appears darker when I use Chrome versus Safari.

I tried doing that, and still no luck. I, we appreciate the efforts! Just have to squint a little harder that's all...Just kidding...

It DOES make it harder to read, I hope users appreciate their eyes!...You only have them once, so take care of them!
:Cool:

Apple grayscale text

memtenn60

alexwillard

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memtenn60

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memtenn60

chscag

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