"ClearType is a software technology developed by Microsoft that
improves the readability of text on existing LCDs (Liquid Crystal
Displays), such as laptop screens, Pocket PC screens and flat panel
monitors. With ClearType font technology, the words on your computer
screen look almost as sharp and clear as those printed on a piece of
paper."
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/what.htm
There are currently no supported or un-supported means to implement
Microsoft ClearType on Microsoft Windows 2000. The first system-wide
implementation of Microsoft ClearType is in Windows XP and is now
appearing in Windows CE .NET. To read more information about what
Microsoft's ClearType is, please visit Microsoft's official website
for ClearType at http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/default.htm
Dell released a white paper describing the new features in Microsoft
Windows XP and Microsoft's ClearType is described as follows:
"Windows XP incorporates ClearType, a font technology designed to make
screen fonts more legible on the LCD panels used in notebook computers
and handheld devices. ClearType was originally designed for e-book
applications to make on-screen reading more comparable to reading on
paper. ClearType screen fonts look less pixelated and more like a
printed font found in a book. Designed for LCD panels in notebook or
handheld computers where the improvement is more dramatic, this
feature can also improve font display on CRT monitors. (For users who
prefer the CRT display without ClearType fonts, the feature can be
disabled in the Display Properties.)"
http://www.dell.com/us/en/gen/topics/vectors_2001-windowsxp.htm
Since ClearType is Microsoft's technology it is unlikely for any
third-party developers to implement it for Microsoft Windows 2000. In
Microsoft's official FAQ for ClearType, they address whether they plan
on releasing an update to enable ClearType for previous versions of
Windows and the answer is "No."
"Q. Does Microsoft plan to provide an update to enable ClearType on
Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows ME or Windows 9x?
A. No. "
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/faq15.htm
Also, Microsoft does hold the patent for ClearType:
"Q. Does Microsoft hold any patents related to ClearType?
A. Yes, in May 2001 Microsoft received its first ClearType patents
from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Other patent applications
are pending."
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/faq15.htm
The "technology" behind ClearType is something dubbed Sub-Pixel Font
Rendering. Gibson Research Corporation details this technology as well
as states:
"The Genesis of these pages was Microsoft's Comdex announcement of
their new breakthrough font rendering technology, dubbed "ClearType".
This announcement gave the industry a much needed wake-up call.
Although Microsoft mistakenly believed that they had discovered
something new, they certainly deserve the credit for helping to bring
years of prior display system research and development into the
forefront of personal computing practice"
http://grc.com/cleartype.htm
Additional information:
Microsoft ClearType
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/default.htm
Sub-Pixel Font Rendering Technology
http://grc.com/cleartype.htm
Dell White Paper: Windows XP
http://www.dell.com/us/en/gen/topics/vectors_2001-windowsxp.htm
What's New in Microsoft Windows CE .NET
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce.net/evaluation/whatsnew/default.asp
Search terms used:
"ClearType fonts"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22ClearType+fonts%22+
"ClearType fonts" "Windows 2000" OR "Windows 2k"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22ClearType+fonts%22+%22Windows+2000%22+OR+%22Windows+2k%22 |