Re: [gentoo-dev] output from qpkg / gentoolkit without ESC codes

[Joseph Carter]

On Fri, Mar 14, 2003 at 11:51:11AM -0800, C. Brewer wrote:
> > Part of the problem with the colors is that Gentoo does not read the
> > terminfo database for the current terminal type to determine whether or
> > not color codes are supported or how to display them.  Not all of the
> > Gentoo tools check where stdout is going either.  This is the kind of
> > thing that many people would not think important today, but by not
> > performing these tests we harm our own reputation in the eyes of those
> > people who are long-time unix hands and know the difference between flash
> > and function.  The wrong codes sent to the wrong terminal can be truly
> > catastrophic.
> >
> > I have heard from people whose opinions I respect that this is a problem
> > with certain other Linux distributions.  The people in question have not
> > taken a long look at Gentoo, but they would have the same complaints here
> > I think.  Fixing this is certainly not top priority, but it is certainly a
> > professional touch which should not be ignored.
> >
> Catastrophic in the same way as trying to use kpackage with apt-install
> and a colored bash prompt, or just mildly irritating?:)

Catastrophic as in that it us usually a user who winds up doing this and
they wind up with a hosed screen..  Then they come crying to their admin
to fix it for them.  The hapless admin of course doesn't even know what
caused this problem and the equally hapless user can't explain what he did
to cause the problem.

Then of course the sysadmin who has already been driven insane goes on a
killing spree because he just can't take anymore abuse.  ;)


Ever accidentally sent enough binary to the screen to change your console
to the alt charset?  It sucks, but we are able to undo the problem,
whatever it was.  Sending terminal codes a terminal doesn't understand is
how you get these kinds of problems.

-- 
Joseph Carter <knghtbrd@×××.org>                  SCO must cease to exist!
 
<hop_> i had something that i think was chicken that was coated with a red
       paste that seemed to be composed of lye based on how much of my
       tongue it burned away.
<hop_> our friend who is Indian said this is why most Indians are thin
       and i quote "It doesn't take very much of this food to get you
       satisfied enough to stop eating."