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Old 10-31-2007, 04:40 PM   #1
keratos
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desktop fonts and appearance

Been a PClinux2007 user for some 5 months.

Just installed xubuntu 7.10 to give it "a go"

Can anyone give a clue as to why the general desktop appearance in particular, the fonts, in xubuntu(ubuntu etc.) are not as clean and sharp as PClinux??

I copied over my xorg.conf file from PClinux partition along with the TT fonts.

Here is my xorg.conf

Code:
# File generated by XFdrake (rev 57713)

# **********************************************************************
# Refer to the xorg.conf man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# **********************************************************************

Section "Files"
    # font server independent of the X server to render fonts.
    FontPath "unix/:-1"
    
    # minimal fonts to allow X to run without xfs
    FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/misc:unscaled"
EndSection

Section "Extensions"
    Option "Composite"
    Option "RenderAccel" "true"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
    #DontZap # disable <Crtl><Alt><BS> (server abort)
    AllowMouseOpenFail # allows the server to start up even if the mouse does not work
    #DontZoom # disable <Crtl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> (resolution switching)
EndSection

Section "Module"
    Load "dbe" # Double-Buffering Extension
    Load "v4l" # Video for Linux
    Load "extmod"
    Load "type1"
    Load "freetype"
    Load "glx" # 3D layer
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier "Keyboard1"
    Driver "kbd"
    Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
    Option "XkbLayout" "gb"
    Option "XkbOptions" "compose:rwin"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier "Mouse1"
    Driver "mouse"
    Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
    Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"  
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "monitor1"
    VendorName "Plug'n Play"
    ModelName "AL1916"
    HorizSync 31-83
    VertRefresh 56-75
    
    # Monitor preferred modeline (60.0 Hz vsync, 64.0 kHz hsync, ratio 5/4)
    ModeLine "1280x1024" 108 1280 1328 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
    
    # TV fullscreen mode or DVD fullscreen output.
    # 768x576 @ 79 Hz, 50 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "768x576"     50.00  768  832  846 1000   576  590  595  630
    
    # 768x576 @ 100 Hz, 61.6 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "768x576"     63.07  768  800  960 1024   576  578  590  616
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "device1"
    VendorName "Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS]"
    BoardName "SiS Real256E"
    Driver "sis"
    Option "DPMS"
    #Option "AccelMethod" "EXA"
    Option "Composite"
    Option "RenderAccel" "TRUE"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "screen1"
    Device "device1"
    Monitor "monitor1"
    DefaultColorDepth 24
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 8
        Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "832x624" "800x600" "640x480" "480x360" "320x240"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 15
        Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "832x624" "800x600" "640x480" "480x360" "320x240"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 16
        Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "832x624" "800x600" "640x480" "480x360" "320x240"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 24
        Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "832x624" "800x600" "640x480" "480x360" "320x240"
    EndSubsection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier "layout1"
    InputDevice "Keyboard1" "CoreKeyboard"
    InputDevice "Mouse1" "CorePointer"
    Screen "screen1"
EndSection
[x]ubuntu is definitely not as sharp and clear.

I notice my /var/log/Xorg.0.log file complains about "type1" module not found. A quick synaptic search reveals that "these are not included as they do not meet the debian license ...."

Is it this I need?

Why?
Last edited by keratos; 10-31-2007 at 05:01 PM.
 
Old 10-31-2007, 05:00 PM   #2
bigrigdriver
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It may mean that the fonts' software license doesn't conform to the license(s) for the fonts released with the Debian distro. It doesn't mean you can't install and use them (given license to do so in your country); it just means Debian doesn't include them.
 
Old 10-31-2007, 05:52 PM   #3
calande
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If you want sharp fonts, go to http://www.sharpfonts.com
 
Old 11-01-2007, 02:47 AM   #4
keratos
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Thanks guys but its not sharp fonts I am seeking, having looked at the link above.

Its "polished" fonts. If anything the fonts I have are too sharp.

PClinux + Mint (installed yesterday to trial the fonts and display) are very "polished" and smooth.

Sorry, I didnt know the correct terminology and apologise if I have confused the issue.

So, to clarify, its those very clear and polished fonts that you get with the likes of Mint and PClinux.

Given that Mint is a derivative of Ubunutu, then my first impression is that the Mint developers have done "something" to ubuntu to improve rendering, but what?

???
Last edited by keratos; 11-01-2007 at 03:57 AM.
 
Old 11-01-2007, 05:05 AM   #5
calande
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Turn on RGB subpixel hinting. Could you show us a screenshot of your current desktop please?
 
Old 11-01-2007, 06:08 AM   #6
keratos
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Quote:
Originally Posted by calande View Post
Turn on RGB subpixel hinting. Could you show us a screenshot of your current desktop please?

Its already on.

I have the SAME settings on all three distros. Only xubuntu has poor rendering. Incidentally, I also use the same desktop (XFCE) and window manager (xfwm4) same versions AND the same Xorg - across all three. I dont understand why xubuntu is crap rendering !?!

I'd be delighted to post a screenshot. First, please kindly advise how I post them. I'll post both, one from xubuntu and one from PClinux.

Thanks for helping, but I think its something more fundemental than simply enabling RBG/subhinting etc. Its got to be more deeper than that I think!
Last edited by keratos; 11-01-2007 at 06:09 AM.
 
Old 11-01-2007, 11:02 AM   #7
keratos
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Okay, no clue on how to post.

Can someone please explain in laymen terms how the fonts are rendered differently on x/ubuntu and pclinux when the three are using same X, same wm, same desktop manager ??

Could it be that the actual fonts themselves (in the font directories) have been modified in some way? Could I copy the font directories from pclinux into ubuntu? If so, how and what else would I need to do (rebuild font "database" or "cache" whatever they are)?

p.s. anyone who cares to install ubuntu 7.10 and pclinux 2007, will literally "see" what I am talking about.

Thanks in advance guys.
 
Old 11-01-2007, 11:04 AM   #8
calande
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You can use www.ImageShack.us to post your screenshot. If some one knows a good alternative to crappy ImageShack, please let me know!
 
Old 11-02-2007, 03:59 AM   #9
keratos
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What a tedious process it is to get images on here. I couldn't be bothered so went back to investigating.

I have now fixed the problem.

Resolution:

1. At command line (terminal) entered command "xdcpyinfo" which showed an incorrect display size for my LCD display and the DPI was very low (something like 75). This didnt seem right.
2. Install libcairo2-devel. A sugegstion from a colleague as this hasan improved engine.
3. Measured (in mm) size of LCD monitor. This came to something like (cannot recall exact number) 332 x 299 millimetres.
4. Edited /etc/X11/xorg.conf file and in the "Monitor" section added the line "DisplaySize 332 299"
5. Restarted X
6. At command line (terminal) entered command "xdcpyinfo" which showed correct display size (as above) and DPI (86x83)

Fonts are now crisp, smooth and polished.

EASY!
 
Old 11-02-2007, 06:38 AM   #10
calande
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Cool, you could report the problem to the Xubuntu team.
 
Old 11-02-2007, 07:30 AM   #11
keratos
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Yes, I think so.

The Monitor manufacturer+model was correctly detected by install and the display resoultion auto set.

Therefore, it would have not been beyond the realms of the ubutnu (xubuntu,kubuntu whatever) to work out the parameters for DisplaySize and add this to xorg.conf.

I'll report it as a problem.
 
Old 11-06-2007, 04:35 PM   #12
keratos
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Update:

100dpi fonts look best on ubuntu.

To get these calculate the DisplaySize values thus:

Note your display resolution as X/Y. For example if you are running at 1280x1024 then X=1280,Y=1024.

Next you need to work out two numbers, A and B.

Calculate A, as A=(X/100)*25.4

Do the same for B using Y, B=(Y/100)*25.4

Add the line

DISPLAYSIZE <A> <B>

to /etc/X11/xorg.conf

where <A> is the value for A, and <B> is the value of B.

Restart X.

You many need to increase/reduce the font size in your desktop settings.

NOW ubuntu fonts look great!
 
  


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