i finally did apt-get install SVGATextMode
and love it. (so far no smoke, no meltdown...) only problem i get is in mutt after a SVGATextMode 80x30x9 (console mode, not within xwindows) where the secondary character set (i.e.graphics) are munged about somehow... the threading 'graphic' characters that show message parent/child relationships change from single-line items to unrelated double-line characters. for example, "horizontal bar" (as if drawing a line straight east/west across the center of the character) that's used where the "-" is in this context: message1 +-> replytomessage1 becomes instead what appears to be a double-border e/n/w graphic, which might be used at the bottom where two 'frames' join: +---+---+ | | | +---+---+ <- middle +, double-border style how can i keep mutt from munging the secondary character set? (all alphabetics, i.e. low 7-bit roman characters, remain quite readable; only the hi-bit graphic chars are munged.) if i ^Z from mutt and run RESET it's still screwy when i get back into mutt. if i re-run SVGATextMode again then returning to mutt is okay for a while. ideas? -- It is always hazardous to ask "Why?" in science, but it is often interesting to do so just the same. -- Isaac Asimov, 'The Genetic Code' [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://newbieDoc.sourceforge.net/ -- we need your brain! http://www.dontUthink.com/ -- your brain needs us!