FreeBSD's new console project is almost ready for primetime

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in linux on (#3PG)
story imageFor a server OS, FreeBSD has certainly had what I'll affectionately call a "lousy" console for a long time. In fact, it was my first disappointment the first time I installed FreeBSD on a server. Fortunately, I'm not the only one who felt that way.

Phoronix now reports The FreeBSD "Newcons" effort to provide a new VT console driver continues making progress for its more proper debut in the next major FreeBSD release. The new code includes full Unicode support including wide characters (Chinese, Japanese), kernel mode setting, better font maps, and support for more graphical modes to provide prettier consoles during boot time etc. It is expected to be included in the next major release.

The FreeBSD wiki Newcons page has the details.

Re: Really? The console? (Score: 2, Insightful)

by zafiro17@pipedot.org on 2014-06-25 08:56 (#295)

I don't ask much from a console, but my Linux virtual consoles generally look pretty good including - up until recent kernel changes I think - some faint bitmapped graphics in the back. The font is usually chosen to render cleanly at whatever resolution my monitor is running at. On FreeBSD my 1440x900 screen console usually renders as though the terminal were expecting 800x600 and vidcontrol provides some but not enough control over that to make it pleasing to the eye. Sounds like this is an improvement. To me, at least.
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