HOW TO alter default browser display fonts in Opera 8.51

• Like some other browsers, Opera provides 'shortcut' keys that simply make the display font temporarily bigger or smaller, without affecting the default setting.  Hold down the [Ctrl] key, then tap [+] - the display will use a bigger display font.  Similarly, [Ctrl] + [-] will make it smaller.  This is especially useful because it may over-ride sizes set in the web-page, so might work even when changing your default font doesn't.  It is also useful because it is a temporary change.  It only applies to the webpage you currently have open!
  

• To alter the default display font:

  Don't worry that the following instructions look quite long and complicated - that is just because I've tried to give enough detail for complete beginners.  The process itself is quick and simple.

  1. Drop down the 'Tools' menu, by clicking on the word 'Tools' on the top toolbar of the Opera window.
     
     
  2. Select 'Preferences' (the last item).  Opera's preference-setting window will open.
     
     
  3. The window that opens has four tabs - General, Wand, Web pages, and Advanced. There are two places where you can make changes.  The first is the Web pages tab, so click on that one.  The easy way to change the size is to change the zoom - up for larger sizes and down for smaller.  You can change the default font by clicking on the "Normal font" tab which by default is "Times New Roman".
     
     
     1. The top part of this window shows two lists.  On the left is a list of all the fonts available on your machine and on the right is a list of available sizes.  When you select new ones, the box at the bottom of this window will show you what that looks like.  Pick something you like...
        
        Note that if you get lost and can't remember what was set before you started, you can use the [Cancel] button (bottom centre) to discard what you've done.
        
        
     2. When you are satisfied with your selections, use the [OK] button (bottom left) to close this window and accept the new settings.
        
        
     You can also change the background colour and link colours by clicking on the relevant tabs. You can do the same for the monosize type, which is sometimes used in web pages.
     
     
  4. When you've done enough on the Web pages tab, click the Advanced tab. Then select 'Fonts' in the list at the left.  The main part of the window will show you a two-column list headed 'Type' and 'Font'. Opera allows you to set different fonts for use with many individual parts of its display, both on Webpages you are browsing, and in other parts of the program window.
     
     I'd suggest that beginners ignore most of this for now.  When you have time to spare, you can go back and play...
     
     
  5. Find the item in the middle of the "Type" list that says "Webpage normal text"  Select that, then use the [Choose] button (top right of the window).  The 'Select Font' window will open, exactly as it is in the "Web page" tab.
     
     
  6. Below the Types/Fonts list, there is a box labeled, 'Minimum font size (pixels)'  That should be self-explanatory.  Web-pages use a range of font sizes - this setting puts a lower limit on how small they can be.
     
     
  7. Unless you read pages that use other alphabets (Greek, Arabic and so on), you can ignore the other setting in this window: [International].
     
     
  8. Click the [OK] button at the left of the bottom line of the 'Preferences' window.  It will disappear, leaving you looking at the Opera browser window.  The display will have changed to show your new selection.
     
     

To leave these instructions, use your browser's [Back] button.  One push will take you back to the instruction menu and the second push will take you back to the main site, on the page you were reading.

If you need to supply similar instructions for your website, please feel free to copy these pages, or to link to them.