Subject: Re: linux-0.98.3 termcap problem From: Greg Wettstein <NU013809@NDSUVM1.BITNET> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 1992 07:17:27 CST
Speaking of TERMCAP problems I am wondering if anyone has noticed this yet.
According to the discussions here and on the mailing list I decided to
always refer to our Linux machines as VT220's when I logged onto other
systems which use TERMCAP style entries. console is great for Linux but of
course unknown to other systems.
After logging into a couple of systems I suddenly noticed that the virtual
console was restricting itself to 24 lines. For example if less is used
to view a file and the sh prompt is on the bottom line of the screen the
entire output gets displayed on the bottom line of the screen. Using
less with the prompt at the top of the screen causes less to use the
console as if it had 24 lines.
This problem seems to be resistant to the use of stty rows 25, setterm
-initialize etc. Rebooting the machine does clear the problem but is of
course not an optimum solution.... :-) The problem does not transcend
virtual consoles, the only console affected is the VT which was running
kermit when I logged into the other machines. I suspect that the other
machine is sending some type of control sequence that is being interpreted
by the Linux console driver. Anybody got any ideas?????
Just a quick comment, perhaps the setterm code/console driver needs to be
modified to recognize some type of absolute reset sequence. I would
envision this sequence resetting the virtual console from which it was
invoked to the same condition it would be in after a boot sequence. This
would be helpful in this case and also in the case when garbage gets
dumped to the screen causing selection of the alternate character set.
Adding functionality such as this would make is easier for Linux neophytes
(as well as the old-timers) to get the VC back in some recognizable state.
Much easier than remembering some magic set of control sequences such as
the incantantation to return to the primary character set.
Note that I am not advocating a departure from having the Linux console
adhere to the VT220 standard. It is a delight to use Linux and kermit to
log into my remotes after enduring SCO's idea of ansi in the form of the
XENIX console driver.
As always,
Dr. G.W. Wettstein
Oncology Research Division Computing Facility
Fargo Clinic / MeritCare
UUCP: uunet!plains!wind!greg
INTERNET: greg%wind.uucp@plains.nodak.edu
Phone: 701-234-2833
`The truest mark of a man's wisdom is his ability to listen to other
men expound their wisdom.'