JTextArea uses a small font that i cant read

Question

I tried viewing a few examples of java swing applications but everytime i see a JTextArea on them the font on it is really small and hard to read. (I think it uses new courier, size 9 according to an application i tried to make on NetBeans)
apparently it doesn't happen on application that use the windows look and feel and look like a native program.
This also happens on two computers i own and also on my friends computers.
I am using java 6u12.
Windows xp sp3.
All the computers i tested this on are set to hebrew locales. but the last time i tried changing the locale thinking this was the problem it didnt help.
What is causing this, and is there any way to fix this?

Answer 1

something is still causing it to have a really small font. That something is in its source.... you can't change it (though you can, by changing it and compiling it once again yourself)
1. JTextArea has small font under windows look and feelTry running following program to check the font of text area in different look and feels:
import java.awt.BorderLayout;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;
import javax.swing.UIManager.LookAndFeelInfo;
* Testing JTextArea in different Lnfs
* @author talha
public class TextAreaTest extends JFrame{
    private static LookAndFeelInfo[] lnf;
    private static int total;
    private static int current=0;
    public TextAreaTest() {
        super("JTextArea Test");
        setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
        JTextArea area=new JTextArea(30,70);
        area.setText("Testing");
        JPanel panel=new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
        panel.add(area,BorderLayout.CENTER);
        getContentPane().add(panel,BorderLayout.CENTER);
        JButton button=new JButton("Change Look and Feel");
        button.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
            public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
                try {
                    current=(++current) % total;
                    UIManager.setLookAndFeel(lnf[current].getClassName());
                    System.out.println(current);
                    setTitle("JTextArea Test... Current LnF : "+lnf[current].getName());
                } catch (Exception ex) {
                    ex.printStackTrace();
                SwingUtilities.updateComponentTreeUI(TextAreaTest.this);
        getContentPane().add(button,BorderLayout.SOUTH);
        pack();
        setLocationRelativeTo(null);
    public static void main(String args[]){
        lnf=UIManager.getInstalledLookAndFeels();
        total=lnf.length;
        SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
            public void run() {
                new TextAreaTest().setVisible(true);
2. SwingSet2 source code tab has small font.Don't worry about it, its in small font for me and for everyone....
Thanks!