Re: LYNX-DEV Lynx slang vs (n)curses

[David Combs]

Maybe someone has a lynx.cfg that sets up reasonable colors for sparcstation 5
running cde (solaris)?

Perhaps there could be a set of these things, one per machine/terminal type,
so users could just grab it and use it, and not have to know anything about
terminals, etc???? 

Thanks,
  Naive

> From address@hidden Fri Oct 25 01:32:58 1996
> Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 17:15:38 +0900 (JST)

> > What is the benefit of using slang for Lynx over ncurses?  Are there any
> 
> If you do a vanilla with slang you can force escape codes for color by
> adding the command line switch -color.  With vanilla ncurses, you cannot
> get color 'automatically'.  If your terminal actually can handle colors,
> but you cannot set your terminal emulator, forcing colors on is VERY nice.
> BUT if in fact your terminal cannot handle colors it is a nightmare to
> say the least to have unwanted escape codes messing things up.
> 
> Afaik, you can set six combinations of fore/background colors with slang.
> That is done in lynx.cfg.  Colors #3 and #7 do not seem to work, but 6
> combinations is really enough.  See the archives for what color does what.
> 
> With my personal lynx I use slang because it is infinitely easier on the
> eyes and nerves, and I must say MUCH more soothing than IE or NS.  For
> the public access lynx here, I run an ncurses lynx patched for
> color so that people can choose if they want color or not.  Slang with
> colors forced on is not an option when you don't know the terminal.
> 
> With Rob's styles (character enhancement) code, you can get color using
> ncurses.  The trick here is that your terminal emulation defined in terminfo
> (or termcap) will have to have defines for color.  If you're lucky to have
> a terminal description file made for your (e.g., `linux', `ansi') terminal,
> you can get color no sweat.  The problem is, if your terminal is not
> supported you have to write a custom terminfo file, which seems to be an art
> in itself, IMHO.
> 
> I find a slight advantage of slang over ncurses-patched as far as the
> size of the binary,
>       sun4-slang:   606208 bytes  versus
>       sun4-ncurses: 679936 bytes. 
> 
> If anyone knows of or has a list of color-supporting terminfo files in
> the database (http://www.ccil.org/~esr/terminfo/termtypes.ti.gz), I'd
> appreciate your forwarding that information to me.  Thanks.
> 
> __Henry
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