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Old 08-14-2003, 09:03 PM   #1
Arclite
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ClearType Technology for Linux?


I'm currently using LCD monitor and i'm desperate for ClearType like technology for linux. Where can i find one? When i use AA feature on my Mandrake, the setting dosn't save for somereason. Dosn't make much differnt either.

Is there software download that lets me use ClearType technology in linux?

Thanks.
 
Old 08-14-2003, 09:19 PM   #2
redcane
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Are you using KDE? KDE has some anti aliasing, and LCD rendering support for fonts I beleive. It should be in the control panel display settings.
 
Old 08-14-2003, 09:24 PM   #3
contrasutra
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"Cleartype Technology" is just AntiAliasing. Its nothing special, MS just likes to spread propoganda.


If you tweak your settings right on AA configuration, the fonts will usually look better than Cleartype.

Once you get your settings to actually save, some tips:

1. Get and install the BITSTREAM VERA fonts, they are very high quality AA fonts that look beautiful.

2. Any application that still has really crappy fonts has to be recompiled with XFT enabled (--enable-xft or --with-xft).

3. Make sure you adjust your GNOME fonts as well as KDE, as they are each seperate. Go into "gnome-font-properties" in a console.
 
Old 08-14-2003, 09:36 PM   #4
Arclite
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I used the KDE AA, but seems to have 0 effect on MozillaFirebird.

It's really giving me an eyestrain.
Ill try the font you recommended, i hope that's better then what i have now.

Just want to know, why dosn't my AA setting gets saved? When i reenter the control panel, AA setting disapears and the check mark is not there.
 
Old 08-14-2003, 09:53 PM   #5
contrasutra
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well, for Mozilla looking bad, that is one of the applications that needs XFT enabled. XFT is FreeType by the way, a portable font library.


Mozilla is hard to compile, so you should look for a build with it enabaled already.

I personally Like Mozilla Firebird, IMO a better version, heres a link with XFT enabled packages:

http://pryan.org/phoenix/
 
Old 08-14-2003, 10:13 PM   #6
Arclite
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Quote:
Originally posted by contrasutra
well, for Mozilla looking bad, that is one of the applications that needs XFT enabled. XFT is FreeType by the way, a portable font library.


Mozilla is hard to compile, so you should look for a build with it enabaled already.

I personally Like Mozilla Firebird, IMO a better version, heres a link with XFT enabled packages:

http://pryan.org/phoenix/
I should have mentioned, I am using Firebird... Where is this XFT setting? AHH! that bitstream made the fonts even worst. In mozilla it gives me the choice to all of the Bitstream fonts, but in firebird i only get 3 with wierd names like 'terminal' iso-xxxx. They all look horrible.

I installed using Mandrake installer for fotns, but seems firebird isn't reconizeing them.

Any tip guys? My eyes are killing me.
 
Old 08-14-2003, 10:39 PM   #7
contrasutra
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Those bitstream fonts that come with Firebird aren't the good ones.

Here are the fonts:

ftp://ftp.gnome.org/pub/gnome/source...eam-vera/1.10/

unpack them and stick them in:
/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/TTF/

then, as root run: fc-cache


XFT is not a "setting" Its an option you enable when you compile the program. Try using one of the Firebird versions from the link I gave you, the fonts are like night and day.
 
Old 08-14-2003, 10:48 PM   #8
Arclite
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Quote:
Originally posted by contrasutra
Those bitstream fonts that come with Firebird aren't the good ones.

Here are the fonts:

ftp://ftp.gnome.org/pub/gnome/source...eam-vera/1.10/

unpack them and stick them in:
/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/TTF/

then, as root run: fc-cache


XFT is not a "setting" Its an option you enable when you compile the program. Try using one of the Firebird versions from the link I gave you, the fonts are like night and day.
All i need to download is the 'ttf-bitstream-vera-1.10.tar.gz' right? Not the other ones.
 
Old 08-14-2003, 10:54 PM   #9
contrasutra
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correct. They are just TTF fonts inside.
 
Old 08-14-2003, 10:59 PM   #10
Arclite
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I did all that, but why arn't they listed in Firebird setting? Only 3 Bitstream font thats in the setting are the one that came with it, the bad ones.

How can i make Firebird reconize these fonts so i can use them?

These fonts are however listed in my Font - control centre, which means they are indeed installed and KDE is reconizeing them. But Firebird is not.

Last edited by Arclite; 08-14-2003 at 11:01 PM.
 
Old 08-14-2003, 11:10 PM   #11
contrasutra
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Firebird may look for fonts in a different place. Try sticking them in:


/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/


and running fc-cache again.

Also, try searching for the fonts that Firebird does recognize, and it will tell you where they are located.
 
Old 08-15-2003, 01:25 AM   #12
Arclite
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I've spent a long time trying to get this AA thing to work, The font Bitstream didn't help at all, made it even worst:

Here is what i see:

http://members.shaw.ca/loxic/desktop.jpg

Does this look good on your screen? I could seriously use some AA in this fonts, LCD monitor makes these text so skinny.

Microsoft propaganda or not, XP text looks SO much richer and better with ClearType. Why wasn't any Linux Distro fully adapt ClearType fully yet? I heard Microsoft dosn't own this technology, it was invted long before and is still the public's ownership.

Like i said before, AA in KDE dosn't save! I don't know why!

Anyone here know how to make website text be bold by default? Firebird nor any other browser has this feature. If i can set my browser to display all fonts as bold, i will be so happy. My eyes are killing me right now!

Last edited by Arclite; 08-15-2003 at 01:38 AM.
 
Old 10-06-2007, 02:30 PM   #13
seinstein
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I think the only reason I don't like any Linux distros is because of (what I consider) poor font rendering. I just love how crisp text looks on Windoze with ClearType enabled. I also don't like Linux's software management system, as it is not good for somebody without a fast net connection...and finding all package dependencies is just a pain.
 
  


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