IE7 comes with blurred vision

If you've recently 'upgraded' to IE7 you may be forgiven for thinking you need an eyesight test. For some inexplicable reason, Microsoft has set the screen resolution default to (apparently) give sharper pictures to super high res LCD users. For the rest of us, it means an experience that's close to myopic. Of course, it's hard to find out how to turn off this 'feature', but with a little persistance - here's Microsoft's explanation:

Why do fonts look blurry in Internet Explorer?

If screen fonts look different in Internet Explorer than they do in other parts of Windows (for example, if they're blurry or bolded), it might be because because of ClearType. ClearType is a software technology developed by Microsoft that improves the readability of text on Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitors, such as those used on laptops and flat panel screens. [it doesn't on mine - Editor] ClearType can sometimes [no, Microsoft, always] appear blurry on Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors or un-tuned [huh?] LCD displays. By default, ClearType is always turned on in Internet Explorer, regardless of how Windows is configured, though you can change it. If your fonts are not displaying as clear as you'd like, you can try optimizing ClearType for your monitor.

Go to the Microsoft Typography ClearType (http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/tuner/Step1.aspx) website, and then follow the instructions for tuning ClearType. The website installs an ActiveX control to help you tune ClearType to your monitor, or you can download a tool that can be used offline instead.

If you still do not like the how ClearType looks in Internet Explorer and you want to turn it off, follow these steps to have Internet Explorer use the same settings as Windows. Once you do this, you can turn ClearType off (or back on) by using the Windows Control Panel. To have Internet Explorer use the same ClearType settings as Windows In Internet Explorer, click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options. Click the Advanced tab, scroll to the Multimedia section, clear the Always use Clear Type for HTML check box, and then click OK. The changes will take effect the next time you start Internet Explorer.

Here's an update.

Seems we're not the only ones who think that Microsoft has got it wrong with Cleartype.

Take a look at this link. One other amazing fact. Microsoft says that "Outlook Express may remain blurred even if Cleartype is disabled in IE ...this is a known bug". Well, that explains why my Outlook (not OE) is now making me feel myopic. So much money, so little common sense ...