Will Windows Vista help prevent eyestrain?

This is a point I’m investigating on my personal blog and naturally, my thoughts turned to Windows Vista.

You may remember a recent post here about the new Vista font, Segoe UI, which is based on ClearType principles (see illustration). There’s no doubt that this font will help computer users prone to eyestrain. You couldn’t ask for a clearer face.

The problem is not the typeface, it’s the point size. Nine-point in Vista and a minute 8-pt in Office 12. I know these will be adjustable, but how many users will persevere with the default settings, as people do?

Are there other features of Windows Vista specifically targeted at reducing eyestrain in computer users? I’ll be delving into this and reporting back here. Stay tuned.