[fpc-pascal] Accessing ROM BIOS Font in Linux.

[Anthony W.Henry]

On Thu, 2008-01-17 at 15:32 +0000, Mark Morgan Lloyd wrote:
> Michael Van Canneyt wrote:
> 
> >> The question.   Is this font accessible from linux; do I have
> >> to be root ?    How do I make the 16 bit segment/offset address
> >> into a 32 bit pointer to access these fonts ?  
> > 
> > This font is not accessible. Linux does not allow direct hardware 
> > access unless you write a device driver.
> 
> What exactly are you trying to do- read the pixels that make up the BIOS fount 
> so that you can plot them as blocks in a text- or graphics-mode session?

Yes...  I've done this in the past... (late 80's early 90's :)

>  I'd 
> have thought it would be better practice to store a fount file as constant 
> data (possibly a resource) inside the program- there's plenty of fount editors 
> etc. available from DOS days.

Your completely right. I still think like a DOS programmer
sometimes. (Keeping program code small..).

  I was actually thinking of using it as fall back font. (Font
files missing).  It was going to be graphics mode programming.
 I think if I follow through with this project then
 converting a Bit Font to an Array Constant is really the way
 to go.  I really don't have to worry about the few Kilobytes 
it will add to the program file :).   Anyone know any good
GPL'd or Public Domain bit fonts ?

Anthony