Firefox Font Frustrations (Solved)

[bones01]

Hi all,

I've had this problem with a few versions of Puppy, but now the time has come to try and find an explanation. In the images below, you'll see the differences in the fonts on Firefox in 5.2.0 and 5.2.8 My question is, why do the fonts look better in 520? I have checked the preferences in Firefox on both puppies and they match, but obviously 520 is better - particularly on my favourite Forum page.

Is this a Puppy issue or a Firefox issue? Any help would be appreciated.

I'm using Firefox 7.01. I've installed the recommended NVidia driver. I've checked the font files that I can.

Thanks.

Bones

[Iguleder]

It's /etc/fonts/local.conf and /etc/fonts/fonts.conf. Copy both from Macpup to Lupu to work around this problem.

I had to edit /etc/fonts/local.conf (or fonts.conf, I don't remember which one exactly) and uncomment the section that disables bitmap fonts to get nice fonts in Firefox and Seamonkey.

[01micko]

Code: Select all

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!DOCTYPE fontconfig SYSTEM "fonts.dtd">
<!-- /etc/fonts/local.conf file for local customizations -->
<fontconfig>
<!--  Enable sub-pixel rendering -->
	<match target="font">
		<test qual="all" name="rgba">
			<const>unknown</const>
		</test>
		<edit name="rgba" mode="assign"><const>rgb</const></edit>
	</match>

<!-- suggested by 'upnorth' http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=54294&start=15
 Reject bitmap fonts -->
 <selectfont>
  <rejectfont>
   <pattern>
     <patelt name="scalable"><bool>false</bool></patelt>
   </pattern>
  </rejectfont>
 </selectfont> 
</fontconfig>

That's Iguleder's ....in Slacko (and Spup)

/etc/fonts/local.conf

bewdiful!

[Burn_IT]

I keep a directory with the Microsoft core fonts in it and Symlink to it.

A search of the forum will throw up how to do it.

[bones01]

Code: Select all

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!DOCTYPE fontconfig SYSTEM "fonts.dtd">
<!-- /etc/fonts/local.conf file for local customizations -->
<fontconfig>
<!--  Enable sub-pixel rendering -->
	<match target="font">
		<test qual="all" name="rgba">
			<const>unknown</const>
		</test>
		<edit name="rgba" mode="assign"><const>rgb</const></edit>
	</match>

<!-- suggested by 'upnorth' http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=54294&start=15
 Reject bitmap fonts -->
 <selectfont>
  <rejectfont>
   <pattern>
     <patelt name="scalable"><bool>false</bool></patelt>
   </pattern>
  </rejectfont>
 </selectfont> 
</fontconfig>

That's Iguleder's ....in Slacko (and Spup)

/etc/fonts/local.conf

bewdiful!

Micko, I compared my local.conf with the one you posted and found a couple of differences. I had a few more <--- ---> than this. So I deleted them, and voila, all is great.

I love the help and clear advice I get on this forum from people who know.

Thanks Micko, Iguleder & Burn_IT for your help with this.

Bones.

[DaveS]

Yes.. thanks for you work on this Iggy. I copied the entire Slacko /etc/fonts dir over to Racy after deleting the included version to solve a few font issues.

[darkcity]

this is a really useful tip, does it effect any other programs and puppies?

going to add to wiki

[darkcity]

http://puppylinux.org/wikka/ImproveFontRendering

done - i've added a link for Opera font config - don't know if this is any different?

[bones01]

I'm trying Precise 5.4 and had the same problem with fonts. Looked up my own name as I knew I'd asked the question before. Glad the solution still works.

[miriam]

I just found this old thread because I had problems with Puppy Slacko 632 losing the ability to smooth and hint fonts after I installed a few programs... well, a heap of programs, so I don't know which messed it up. However this thread put me onto the answer as I noticed that /etc/fonts/conf.avail/50-user.conf mentions:

Code: Select all

	    Load per-user customization files where stored on XDG Base Directory
	    specification compliant places. it should be usually:
	      $HOME/.config/fontconfig/conf.d
	      $HOME/.config/fontconfig/fonts.conf

so I copied the /etc/fonts/conf.avail folder as ~/.config/fontconfig/conf.d and /etc/fonts/fonts.conf as ~/.config/fontconfig/fonts.conf then I restarted X and ta-da! nice, smoothed, hinted fonts again. Yay!

I hope this helps someone else who has a similar head-scratching moment too.