Retro Linux terminal

Intro

Since I installed Ubuntu on my laptop, I've mainly focused on setting it up and customizing my environment.

It's refreshing to escape the mundane, productivity-driven mindset that many tech enthusiasts have clung to since the invention of PCs. Now, it feels effortless; you do what you must forget about it and enjoy more fun activities.

For some reason, I insisted on having a DEC VT100 theme for my GNOME terminal window. You know the look: a washed-out black screen with amber interlaced fonts.

What to do

There are two approaches to achieving this. You can either install the "cool-retro-term" application.

Or find the specific color values for the font and background. Then download a compatible font such as "dec_terminal," "dec_terminal_modern," "arcade_ya," or "Glass_TTY_VT220. " Set it up and enjoy a completely unnecessary, hence essential customization.

What you shouldn't do, though, is try to explain to others why you spent so much time on this.

Instructions

1. Terminal font:
   1. You can download some free fonts on the Urban Fonts website.
   2. If you're using GitHUB, have a look there.
   3. Or just use the default monotype fonts that come with your OS version.
2. The color values for the font and screen background are:
   1. Font: #FFB000
   2. Screen: #282828
3. Install the cool-retro-term (debian or ubuntu):
   1. Search to check it's in your apt library
   2. Update apt
   3. Install the app

Check if it's in your library:

sudo apt-cache search cool-retro-term

Update your library:

sudo apt update

Run install:

sudo apt install cool-retro-term -y

Reference

Hacking with Style: TrueType VT220 Font

VT220 TrueType font

Exactly what color was the text on monochrome terminals with green-on-black and amber-on-black screens?

I am wondering what were the color shades and brightness of the text appearing on classic monochrome terminals? If I were to recreate approximately the green-text-on-black-screen or amber-text-on-b…

Retrocomputing Stack ExchangeBasil Bourque

Enjoy!