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Any options/suggestions for folks with poor reading vision?

  • 4 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 11 views
  • Last reply by huxx

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I have been using the Theme & Font Size Changer add-on with Thunderbird and Firefox for years, and it's about the only thing I've been able to find that makes folders and fonts big enough for me to read. Unfortunately, the new version of the add-on (55.1) doesn't seem to be working with Thunderbird 52.3.0. (still seems to work with Firefox, though...)

Is there ANYTHING that I can do within Thunderbird itself so that the default size of the text in the Folder Pane, the From and Subject lines of emails, etc., is not so small that I can't read it? I've scoured all the preferences and options and have found nothing to help. If there is no option in Thunderbird itself, can I ask that someone consider fixing this? It really shouldn't be an add-on, as having it as an add-on creates the possibility (now realized) that updates to Thunderbird or the add-on version will render them incompatible with each other. there are a whole lot of people who can't read 8-point type, and it's a giant bummer that this is not an easily remedied problem within Thunderbird's own settings sans an add-on!

I have been using the Theme & Font Size Changer add-on with Thunderbird and Firefox for years, and it's about the only thing I've been able to find that makes folders and fonts big enough for me to read. Unfortunately, the new version of the add-on (55.1) doesn't seem to be working with Thunderbird 52.3.0. (still seems to work with Firefox, though...) Is there ANYTHING that I can do within Thunderbird itself so that the default size of the text in the Folder Pane, the From and Subject lines of emails, etc., is not so small that I can't read it? I've scoured all the preferences and options and have found nothing to help. If there is no option in Thunderbird itself, can I ask that someone consider fixing this? It really shouldn't be an add-on, as having it as an add-on creates the possibility (now realized) that updates to Thunderbird or the add-on version will render them incompatible with each other. there are a whole lot of people who can't read 8-point type, and it's a giant bummer that this is not an easily remedied problem within Thunderbird's own settings sans an add-on!

Chosen solution

How to install TB add-ons

Drag the xpi file from wherever you downloaded it and drop it onto Tools/Add-ons/Extensions.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bad_Eyesight_-_Thunderbird

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If there is a problem with the new version, I expect it will be fixed soon, and in the meantime you could install an older version:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/thunderbird/addon/theme-font-size-changer/versions/

It's also possible you have another add-on that is in conflict with the new version.

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I tried to download an earlier version as suggested, but it is an xpi file that appears not to fully download. I tried opening it with Unarchiver and I see a folder with several files, included "install.rdf" -- but when I click on that I get a message sayings "this XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it."

I'm at a complete loss and I'm beside myself. I'm back to work on Monday, and 90% of my job relies on my ability to read my emails, and I'm already having eye strain trying to read the 8-point type.

Please help! Is there ANY other option for getting the type of my folders and toolbars bigger so that I can read them? Or any ideas as to why I can't successfully install the earlier version??? Or anything that can be done to convince someone who can actually make such a change that the default in Thunderbird should be of a size that folks older than 35 can actually read it?

Thanks for any info you can offer.

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Chosen Solution

How to install TB add-ons

Drag the xpi file from wherever you downloaded it and drop it onto Tools/Add-ons/Extensions.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bad_Eyesight_-_Thunderbird

Modified by sfhowes

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Thank you, that worked!!!!