Sharp and crisp fonts like in windows

I always hated how most linux distributions display small fonts by aliasing them to the fullest making them less readable. If you'd turn off anti-aliasing (even only for those small font-sizes) you get horrible looking scrumbled fonts, so I decided to leave anti-aliasing turned on. TIL NOW!

I finally found the cause. Some distributions compile freetype by default WITHOUT BCI-support. I don't know why but here's how to get it back. The result is wonderful sharp and crisp fonts you already loved for gazillions of years using any windows version. I additionally installed some ms-fonts to get the exact windows look.

Some before/after pics:
http://www.sharpfonts.com/images/comparison.png
http://www.ludd.luth.se/~staham/linux/med-bci6.png
http://www.ludd.luth.se/~staham/linux/utan-bci6.png

Install MS-Fonts

• Download MS-Fonts: http://www.sharpfonts.com/fonts/
  [/*:m:3w1pyjlj]
• Download font-configuration: http://www.sharpfonts.com/fontconfig.tbz
  [/*:m:3w1pyjlj]
• Install cabextract:
  Code:

  sudo yum install cabextract

  [/*:m:3w1pyjlj]
• Create font-directory:
  Code:

  sudo mkdir -p /usr/share/fonts/truetype/

  [/*:m:3w1pyjlj]
• Install fonts (yep, that's one large line of code...):
  Code:

  sudo cabextract -d /usr/share/fonts/truetype/ andale32.exe arial32.exe arialb32.exe comic32.exe courie32.exe georgi32.exe impact32.exe tahoma32.exe times32.exe trebuc32.exe verdan32.exe webdin32.exe

  [/*:m:3w1pyjlj]
• Configure aliasing/hinting:
  Code:

  sudo tar xvjpf fontconfig.tbz -C /etc/fonts/

  [/*:m:3w1pyjlj]

(inspired by: http://www.sharpfonts.com)

Recompile Freetype with BCI enabled

• Download Freetype 2.3.5-4 Source: ftp://rpmfind.net/linux/fedora/updates/ ... c8.src.rpm
  [/*:m:3w1pyjlj]
• Install rpmbuild:
  Code:

  sudo yum install rpm-build

  [/*:m:3w1pyjlj]
• Extract RPM:
  Code:

  sudo rpm -ivh freetype-2.3.5-4.fc8.src.rpm

  [/*:m:3w1pyjlj]
• Rebuild RPM with BCI enabled:
  
  Code:

  cd /usr/src/redhat/SPECS
  sudo rpmbuild -bb freetype.spec --with bytecode_interpreter

  [/*:m:3w1pyjlj]
• Install rebuilt RPM packages:
  
  Code:

  cd /usr/src/redhat/RPMS/i386/
  sudo rpm -Uvh --force freetype-2.3.5-4.fc8.i386.rpm

  [/*:m:3w1pyjlj]

(inspired by: http://www.ludd.luth.se/~staham/linux/bci.shtml)

Set UI-Fonts

• set font for user interface to "Tahoma 8" using "96 dpi", Hinting "Full" and Sub-Pixel-Hinting "RGB"[/*:m:3w1pyjlj]
• optionally set same fonts for KDE-apps: kcmshell fonts[/*:m:3w1pyjlj]

Reboot

Finally just reboot and enjoy wonderful looking windows fonts.