When you connect, the IB window appears. Status messages appear in a box on the right:
If this box is covered by a grid, click on it to bring it to the front. If you wish to view it more carefully, such as to scroll or print it, then press Status:
If there are too many messages, you can clear this window by pressing Clear status.
Press Fonts to change the fonts in the grid. Personally, I prefer Courier New, a monotype font, as it shows numbers clearest. When looking at numbers of your trades, you want to see each number, your money, as clearly as possible.
Dates can be shown with a pop-up calendar or not, depending on if Use Date Time Picker is checked.