[GoLUG] Graphical output on xterm

[Kyle Terrien]

On Fri, Feb 28, 2025 at 02:24:59AM -0800, Ron wrote:
> Kyle Terrien wrote on 2025-02-27 23:58:
> 
> > I suppose there must be a way to convert SVG, or maybe ditch the
> > SVG step entirely and output raw vector Tektronix codes.
> > (systemd-analyze plot should implement this.)
> 
> I'd suggest plot should implement SVG, not systemd implement Tektronix. It
> being 2025 and all.
> 
> But, this was the first thing I thought of - `systemd-analyze plot` to get
> an SVG of the boot processes and display it in xterm.
> 
> Really unfortunate that SVG isn't supported; alas, it kind of inhibits the
> usefulness.

systemd-analyze plot outputs in SVG format.  Traditionally when using
this tool, I had to copy the SVG locally to view it in a real image
viewer.

It would be nice to have a tool that quickly blits an SVG (as best as
it can) to a Tektronix.  So, hypothetically something like

systemd-analyze plot | svg2tek

would create a Gantt chart of system startup and blit it directly to
xterm’s Tektronix emulation.  It probably won’t be perfect, but it
doesn’t have to be perfect.  This is 1970s technology, after all.  But
it would save some time by being “good enough” and doing 90% of the
work.

It would be nice if modern terminals had a way to display real
graphics.  (/dev/draw?)

--Kyle

-- 
[*] Kyle Terrien
    Terrenus => from the Earth, to the Cloud
    https://terren.us/

Dilexisti justitiam, et odisti iniquitatem.  -- Psalmus 44:8