Extended ASCII characters on Framebuffer Console
 

I've got a fairly simple question, that after some web searching, I can not find an answer for, or if it can be done.

I use syncterm or telnet to log into bulletin boards. These display ANSI graphics using the extended ASCII character set (I believe Code Page 437?).

I can get these in an XTERM using the vga font specially made, but I want to do this using the framebuffer console (the one you get pressing CTRL-ALT-F2).

I can change fonts using the setfont command and the fonts under /lib/kbd/consolefonts, but none of them display ANSI screens accurately. Some better than others, but none are right.

Is there a way to do it?

It would help if you explained what you are rtrying to see a bit more clearly. Are these ascii graphic symbols in little 8x8 boxes as was done with the aid of ansi.sys under Dos?

I would approach the locale. CP 437 is US, bog standard. 850 is international, and many others exist. Maybe you can find yourself an /etc/environment file (google for one) which can configure these things more accurately. You could specify one set of settings, with another currency, and a third character set, for example.

I've discovered I can get the desired effect by issuing the following commands

unicode_stop
setfont -m cp437 default8x16.psfu.gz

After these two, high ASCII/ANSI graphics display properly.

Now just have to figure out how to make this the default.

That switches off Unicode for you and picks a particular font.

Create a ~/.bash_profile and put them in, or add to the one that already exists. Then log out & log in and try your luck.