DeskTux

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====== Console ======
If you work on the commandline a lot (i.e. also on the console) you look for ways to make it more comfortable. One way is to configure your shell and make it more comfortable, or even switch to another well configurable and usable shell like the [[apps:ZSH]].

Of course there's more to the commandline than just the shell. For example you may want to use a higher resolution than the 80x25 characters, install some handy programs, make use of colours, use a different font and so on.

===== Resolution =====
Modern displays reach [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_HD|Full HD]] or even higher resolutions. The classical UNIX and Linux console however features a maximum of 80x25 characters. Even if you utilize the console very seldom, 80x25 is not really usable. Especially in Debian GNU/Linux, where (by default) you'll see the console on every boot and shutdown it is simply ugly.

So a higher resolution on the console is desirable. There used to be a kernel parameter ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VESA_BIOS_Extensions#Linux_video_mode_numbers|vga=xxx]]'' where xxx was a code for the resolution and colour-depth. But the use of that option is deprecated, so it already gets ignored or will be soon.

Certainly there must be another solution to accomplish a higher console resolution than 80x25 characters? Indeed there is, although it is not as easy as the 'vga=xxx' parameter. Well... not exactly. It is just different ;-)

==== Configuring GRUB ====
Possibly you already did part of the GRUB configuration if you also use my [[archive:grub|GRUB Splashscreen]]. Here I'll assume you didn't.

First, you need to do some default settings in GRUB. The file ''/etc/default/grub'' needs to be edited for that.

  * Find the line ''GRUB_TERMINAL=console''. If it is not a comment, make it one or change it to ''GRUB_TERMINAL=gfxterm''.
  * Find the line ''#GRUB_GFXMODE=640x480'' and uncomment it (if it already isn't). Change the resolution to the value you wish to use.((You can also add a colour-depth, like e.g. ''1920x1080x32''))\\ If you are unsure which resolutions are supported, just hit 'c' in the GRUB menu and enter the command ''videoinfo'' (UEFI) or ''vbeinfo'' (BIOS). It should then list all available modes.
  * Add the line ''GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=keep'' just below that line before.

This is already it. All that remains is running ''update-grub'', reboot and you're done. Though you may want to pimp the console a little more before rebooting ;-)

===== Console Font =====
In Debian the default console font is "Fixed". This font is fine for the occasional console user, but a much more readable and beautiful font is "Terminus". In Debian the packages "console-setup" and "console-terminus" should be installed by default. If not, just install them:
  # apt install console-setup console-terminus
Afterwards run the console setup:
  # dpkg-reconfigure console-setup
Just accept all the default values, except for the font. There choose "Terminus" (or "Terminus Bold" if you prefer).

Afterwards, reboot your machine and enjoy the console!

~~DISCUSSION~~