Changing the default (block) cursor

major.tom · 07-15-2005, 02:03 AM

I'd like to use an underline instead of a block cursor. Is this possible?

I'm running slackware-current, bash, aterm.

I've been doing a little searching, on this and have found some threads referring to the VGA-softcursor in /usr/src/linux/Documentation. I've tried the

Code:

echo -e '\033[?2c'

to no avail. (also fooled around with -ne, double-quotes, etc.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Garry

187807 · 07-15-2005, 06:47 PM

I played around with this some after reading your question.

First of all, the codes given in the /Documentation/ file you mention seem to work (at least the examples) when I use them on any of my Slackware VGA terminals (i.e., CTRL-ALT-F1 through F6). I do not use framebuffer consoles so I'm not sure if the codes would work on those...I just use plain old "normal" VGA modes for my terminals.

As you noted, the codes do not work in aterm (nor gnome-terminal) within X. I did some minor research on aterm and it appears that cursor change is not yet supported.

I know it's not a response you were hoping for...I'm only offering my observations.

keefaz · 07-15-2005, 07:00 PM

I can confirm that the VGA softcursor codes work in framebuffer as well

The doc file is : kernel/Documentation/VGA-softcursor.txt

Code:

To get normal blinking underline, use: echo -e '\033[?2c'
To get blinking block, use:            echo -e '\033[?6c'
To get red non-blinking block, use:    echo -e '\033[?17;0;64c'

major.tom · 07-15-2005, 07:28 PM

Thanks for your replies. The funny thing is, I've tried both in Framebuffer and in X/rxvt/aterm/xterm. The single tick is the single-quote, right?

Maybe it has something to do with my .bashrc. Specifically:

Code:

PS1='\[\e[0;32m\]\w\[\e[0;37m\]:\[\e[0;36m\]\!\[\e[0;37;1m\]> \[\e[0m\]'

I'll keep playing with it to see if I can figure it out. The main thing is I know it's *supposed* to work.

Cheers!

Garry