In today’s earthshaking news, Microsoft is sacking the long-running (since 2007) default font in its Office™ programs (e.g., Word, Excel) in favor of … fashion.
Actually, I didn’t know “Calibri” (a made-up moniker) was the default font. My Office™ documents always open in “Arial.” Maybe I’m a subversive.
It turns out there’s a lot more to a typeface than meets the eye. Actually, literally, not (unless you’re reading the Braille version. Is there a Braille version? Are there computer screens in Braille? Beats me). So, of course, I mean that figuratively.
For example, did you know Calibri’s letters have varying heights, because this purportedly makes them easier to read, and this typeface feature is called “Old Style”? Neither did I, until I read this news story, which has all the inky details. (Do computer screens use ink? Well, printers still do, last I heard …)
Image: Calibri, top, and the font that will replace it.
