lynx-dev Re: lynx problem (maybe ncurses problem now) (fwd)

[Klaus Weide]

I am forwarding the message to the lynx-dev list.  Please subscribe
to the list to continue the discussion, or at least check the archives at
<http://www.flora.org/lynx-dev/html/month0799/> for responses.

I am not familiar with setting up linux for Chinese, but some comments:

1) What is the version of lynx?
   If possible, try recompiling, using the latest package from
   <http://sol.slcc.edu/lynx/release/> or
   <http://sol.slcc.edu/lynx/current/>.

2) I checked the Chinese-HOWTO (latest version on metalab.unc.edu),
   and could not find a reference to something called "Chinese Console"
   (the closest may be a program called chdrv).  Since you say this
   program "crashes" (depending on ncurses version and the setting of
   $TERM), I wouldn't trust it at all...  There must be something better
   out there.  I cannot help you find it, but there should be other
   Chinese users who should know!

3) Both ncurses versions seem to be quite old, and have bugs -
   try to get the lastest 5.0 beta source from
   <ftp://ftp.clark.net/pub/dickey/ncurses> and recompile it.
   As long as you are careful to install everything under /usr/local/
   (and maybe even if you are not), this shouldn't interfere with
   the installed slackware pkg.
   Recompile lynx to use that version (you may have to tell it
   to use ncurses from /usr/local/, see CPPFALGS and LIBS in lynx
   INSTALLATION file).

   Ok, I see now you have already tried Ncurses 4.2.  Have you
   made sure lynx is using it?

   I don't know about those problems with the kernel "make menu config";
   but you could try to hide the newer ncurses's .h and .so files (not
   .so.N...) after you got lynx compiled and running.

4) The problem of displaying chinese text wrong doesn't seem to be
   lynx's fault, since at least in some combination you get the right
   characters displayed.

5) The "screen flash" problem (I don't know what it looks like)
   is likely the "Chinese Console" program's fault, IMO (even if
   it is triggered only by using some ncurses versions).
   Again, I hope you can locate a better console environment to
   use.

6) What you have to put in $TERM would depend on the "Chinese
   Console" program.  "vt100" is probably not the Right Thing -
   at least if you want color.  SInce those programs seem to be
   terminal emulators on their own, they should come with their
   own terminfo(or termcap) entry that describes their
   capabilities.  If not, you may have to create one.
   (Using a modified terminfo file could also be a way to
   avoid the "screen flash" - maybe you can find out by trial
   and error which terminfo(5) capability causes it [if any].)

    Klaus
   

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 25 Jul 1999 19:19:59 +0800 (CST)
From: address@hidden
To: address@hidden
Subject: Re: lynx problem (maybe ncurses problem now)


Hello Klaus:

the problem and situation I have, when I use lynx. Maybe it is ncurses
problem now...

0. Accroding to Chinese-HOWTO, i set shell and environment variables.

   /etc/profile:
   stty cs8 -istrip
   stty pass8
   export LANG=C
   export LC_CTYPE=ISO-8859-1

   ~/.inputrc:
   set convert-meta off
   set output-meta on

   and when I use Chinese Console, based on svgalib: export TERM=vt100
   (if I set: export TERM=linux, Chinese Console sometimes crash after I
   set Options Menu in Lynx. crash only when I use 1.9.9g)

1.
   I use removepkg and installpkg to test 2 ncurses.tgz
   Slackware 4.0's ncurses.tgz(libncurses.so.1.9.9g),
   Slackware 3.4's ncurses.tgz(libncurses.so.1.9.9e).
   and the only one option I change in Option Menu: others as default save.
   Display character set: Taipei (Big5)

2a.
   under Slackware 4.0's ncurses.tgz(libncurses.so.1.9.9g),
   I cannot read any file, cannot see which page# now, only arrow key works
   in the same 1 or 2 lines.
   When i "@" to turn cjk and raw mode off, I can usr arrow key and page up
   page down to see which page@ now, BUT cannot recongize Chinese text,
   unreadable text appears.

2b.
   Slackware 3.4's ncurses.tgz(libncurses.so.1.9.9e).
   I can read Chinese characters correctly.
   But when lynx load file, the screen flash(load and load end) is apparent.
   (old vga card: et4000ax)

   But when I make kernel with "make menu config", some colors wrong...

2c.
   under Slackware 4.0's ncurses.tgz(libncurses.so.1.9.9g),
   after rm ~/.lynxrc, I can load and read Chinese text, but some(1/10)
   Chinese characters cannot be recongized.
   Although the screen flash(load and load end) smoothly and softly,
   I don't need close my eyes when lynx load file. (poor et4000ax card)

2d.
   I have tried to make Ncurses 4.2, it works as Slackware 3.4's, and I
   still need close my eyes when lynx load file.

   And when I cannot make menuconfig. (seems I set wrong when configure
   ncurses 4.2).

ps.1
   I am sorry that I cannot write my problem in english properly,
   but I hope that you know what I wanna say.

ps.2
   well... It is not different whether I close my eyes or not, but I
   want to protect my eyes... :p

ps.3
   I thank you sending me a mail.
   It seems the ISP i use, be refused by many sites, because too many
   garbage and advertisement mail, so no response about my post in
   newsgroup.

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E-mail Address: address@hidden