Peter Seale's weblog

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 3:54:44 AM UTC 

If you're thinking to yourself "dude, this is wasting my time just reading the headline; how much free time do you have to post about it?" Well, yes. I do waste a lot of time configuring my system, and further waste time thinking about configuring my system, and further further waste time reading others' thoughts when they write about configuring their systems. It's probably unhealthy, but if so it's widespread. Like the flu pandemic.

But I do have a good reason for this tweak.

Eyestrain is a serious problem

Laugh it up; when it's your turn to suffer make sure to let me know and I'll make fun of you.

So anyway, enabling ClearType aids readability and reduces eyestrain.

Plus, it looks cool.

Disclaimer: don't blame me

I've enabled ClearType on the VM running on my desktop. I don't have to worry about bandwidth or getting angry calls from the network folks. Your mileage may vary!

Steps to enable ClearType in Server 2003

• Download the hotfix found at KB 946633. Unfortunately this isn't a direct link; you have to navigate the deadly DRM/registration obstacle course, Takeshi's Castle style. Many that begin the journey don't make it all the way to the end.
  
• Install that hotfix on your Windows Server 2003 machine.
• Reboot as instructed by the hotfix installer.
• Log in locally to the machine and enable ClearType (see these detailed steps if you need them).

BOOM! YOU GOTS CLEARTYPE NOW!

Ok, further steps for RDP

ClearType won't appear over RDP unless you set up your RDP client properly.

• Ensure you have the Terminal Services (RDP) client v6.0. If you don't know, see the screenshot below. You'll need the "font smoothing" option.
• Any time you connect to a server, ensure the "font smoothing" option is checked.