I'm trying to figure out what debian does to fonts that makes them less thick and black -- the contrast of the thick, black text on most distros bothers me, but debian is perfect. I've looked at all the font config options everywhere, and can find no answer. There must be something less obvious -- compile flags for xorg?

Since I'm a distro grazer, I'd like to be able to reconfigure the fonts on other distros to look like debian, but I first need to know what the practical difference is.

I never used Debian before... could you please post a 1:1 screenshot so I could see what is the difference? maybe it is something worth exploring and configuring
Thanks.

Here is a comparison between FC6 (left) and debian etch (right). The fonts and settings are the same on both distros (both are also running gnome).

what fonts are you using .. i usually like dejavu

In firefox and for window titles I use verdana, and the rest are the generic "sans" which is usually dejavu these days (used to be bitstream).

I'm not sure, but it seems to me that the one on the left is using anti-aliasing and the one on the right is using BCI. Also settings such as anti-aliasing and sub-pixel rendering may be in play. Also, perhaps the versions of the code responsible for all of the facilities is different. Maybe your Debian version is using a new and improved version compared with other distros you've experienced. Also one other thing, is they might be setting the DPI differently.



You might compare their settings in /etc/fonts/local.conf to maybe shed some light. Also, while you're at it, type:

xdpyinfo | grep resolution

To compare how they have their DPI settings set. I'm running Sarge, and it looks like it set it to 96 DPI by default. I don't know if it's different in Etch and Sid though.

And of course, last but not least, are you sure you're comparing the exact same font packages? There's alot of the same fonts put out by different sources that handle things alot differently.

Anyway, I tend to agree that Debian has some beautiful fonts by default. I've been able to get other distro getting to display fonts real good after alot of work and tweaking, but I could still swear they somehow seemed not quite as right as when I have Debian installed. In fact, I used to think fonts on Linux were terrible compared to Windows before the days of using Debian, but the funny thing is that it seems the Debian has much nicer fonts than Windows after I'm reminded what they look like when I look at a friend's PC running Windows. Like my friend who is graphic artist was pretty impressed by Debian's fonts when I emailed him a screenshot one time, and due to that profession, he's a real stickler about stuff like that. I think he was actually kind of jealous, which is saying something for Linux when it comes to fonts, which has always seemed to be one of it's weak links.

Sorry, I was late in seeing this response ... the settings were all the same as configured in gnome, and the fonts were the same (for example, I'm pretty sure verdana has no flavors). I checked all the font config files in /etc and found nothing special about debian, and dpi is 96x96, which is standard.

My conclusion is that debian compiles X a little differently, or at least the font server. I'd still like to know exactly what it is, though.

Good question, my fonts look like the LEFT picture. And I am using Debian Etch...

jlinkels

That's odd. I'm also using etch. (And sid, too.)

Open a terminal window, use "su" to become root and type "dpkg-reconfigure fontconfig-config". It will ask you some questions and it also tells you how your choices affect the quality of displayed fonts.

Leave the terminal window open. Open Firefox/Iceweasel and check if the fonts look any different. Close Firefox/Iceweasel and type "dpkg-reconfigure fontconfig-config" again (or just use the up arrow key), this time choosing different options. Open Firefox/Iceweasel again and see if there's any difference.

This way you'll eventually find the settings you like best.

It's also possible to write /etc/fonts/local.conf or ~/.fonts.conf that can be applied regardless of the distro you happen to use.

http://en.gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_Xorg_and_Fonts

How comes that everybody likes antialiased fonts? I find both screenshots rather difficult to look at.

Here's what the thread looks like for me.

I don't get much anti-aliasing, but just enough to smooth the edges.

Most modern distros have pretty good font rendering enabled by default.

My screenshot:
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...-rendering.png

I must admit, I cheated by installing msttcorefonts. Verdana is a pretty decent font for screen viewing. Ironically, on Slackware, I have enabled anti-aliasing and it looks like the first one. Though it initially looked like uselpa's screenshot...

Different people have different font settings/fonts on their system so you can never tell...

Same here.

In fact in my xorg.conf I comment out most of the fonts paths. Seems to make a great difference.

eerok,

FWIW: I'm using webfonts (in xorg.conf) and anti-aliasing for all fonts (under xfce4). My view of this particular thread looks almost identical to your debian etch screenshot.

Eerok,

I have the exact same problem, and I want the same thing you do. Althou my case is even worse:
:: link 1 ::
:: link 2 ::

If you ever find a solution, please share it

BTW: I've installed Debian etch yesterday: the same

Edit: I've tried every single combination (18) running and nothing changes...