If you're reading articles or browsing websites with small text, it can be an extremely frustrating experience. Not only does it strain your eyes, but it can also reduce readability and comprehension. Thankfully, adjusting text size is a simple process, and using w3m browser makes it even easier. In this comprehensive guide, we'll be discussing how to adjust text size on w3m browser, going from the basics of using w3m browser all the way to modifying text size using terminal commands. Read on to learn more.
Understanding w3m Browser and Text Size
In order to adjust text size on w3m browser, it's important to first understand what it is and why text size matters. w3m is a powerful text-based web browser that is available on many Linux distributions. Unlike graphical web browsers like Firefox and Chrome, w3m can be used entirely from a terminal. This makes w3m an ideal choice for users who prefer command-line interfaces or have low-powered/more limited systems. Text size is important because it affects readability. When text is too small, it can be difficult or impossible to read. This can be particularly problematic for people with visual impairments or those who prefer larger text.
What Is w3m Browser?
w3m is a terminal web browser for Linux. Its key feature is its text-based interface, which makes it a popular choice for users who spend a lot of time in the terminal or who prefer a lighter browser. As a terminal application, w3m can be launched using a command line, and it runs in a terminal window. Its interface is text-based, with links represented by underlined text and colors used sparingly. w3m can render web pages as text, HTML, or even images, making it a flexible browser for many use cases.
Importance of Text Size in Web Browsing
Text size plays a crucial role in web browsing. It can affect readability, comprehension, and overall user experience. Small text can be difficult to read, especially on devices with smaller screens, such as laptops or tablets. Additionally, changing text size can help with accessibility for users who may have visual impairments. This is why it's important for browsers to provide tools for adjusting text size.
Preparing to Adjust Text Size in w3m Browser
To adjust text size in w3m browser, you'll need to first prepare your system. This means installing w3m and understanding how to navigate the interface.
Installing w3m Browser
The process for installing w3m will depend on your Linux distribution. On Ubuntu or Debian-based systems, you can install w3m by running the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install w3m
On other distributions, such as Fedora or CentOS, you can use your default package manager. For example, on Fedora, you can use DNF:
sudo dnf update
sudo dnf install w3m
Navigating the w3m Interface
Once you have w3m installed, you can launch it by typing "w3m" into your terminal. This will open the w3m interface. You can use the arrow keys to navigate links, and press "Enter" to follow links. Pressing the "q" key will exit w3m and return you to your terminal.
Adjusting Text Size Using w3m Configuration
Now that you're ready to adjust text size in w3m browser, you have two options: modifying the configuration or using terminal commands. In this section, we'll cover how to modify text size using w3m configurations.
Accessing w3m Configuration Settings
The first step to adjusting text size in w3m is to access the configuration settings. To do this, start w3m and press "Shift+Esc" to bring up the configuration menu. Use the arrow keys to navigate to "Option Setting" and press "Enter". This will open the configuration settings.
Modifying Text Size Settings
Once you're in the configuration settings, you can modify various settings, including text size. To modify text size, navigate to "Display" using the arrow keys and press "Enter". From here, you can modify the "Font size", "Line feed", and "Offset" settings. Modifying the "Font size" setting will increase or decrease text size, so adjust it until the text size is at a comfortable level for you.
Saving and Applying Changes
After you've modified the necessary settings, navigate to "Save" in the configuration menu and press "Enter". This will save your changes. To apply your changes, exit w3m and launch it again. Now you should see the new text size reflected in the web pages you visit.
Adjusting Text Size Using Terminal Commands
While accessing w3m configuration settings is a simple process, it may not be ideal for all users. If you prefer command-line interfaces or want a quick way to adjust text size, you can use terminal commands in w3m to modify text size.
Zooming In and Out with Terminal Commands
To zoom in or out using terminal commands, use the following commands:
Ctrl++ : zoom in
Ctrl+- : zoom out
These commands will adjust the font size of the web page you're currently on. Pressing these keys multiple times will continue to adjust the font size. Once you're happy with the font size, you can exit w3m using the "q" key.
Setting a Custom Text Size
If you want to set a custom text size, you can use the following command:
w3m -fn {fontname}:{fontsize} [URL]
Replace "{fontname}" with the name of the font you want to use and "{fontsize}" with the desired font size (in pixels). For example, to set the font to "Ubuntu Mono" with a size of 18 pixels, use the following command:
w3m -fn 'Ubuntu Mono:18' http://example.com
This will launch w3m with the specified font and font size. Note that the font must be installed on your system for this command to work.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While adjusting text size in w3m is usually a straightforward process, there are some common issues that can arise. In this section, we'll cover two of the most common issues and how to fix them.
Text Size Not Changing
If you try to adjust text size in w3m and nothing seems to change, it's possible that the web page you're on has hard-coded font sizes. This means that the font size is set by the website's HTML code and cannot be modified by the user. In this case, there's not much you can do to change the font size.
Inconsistent Text Size Across Websites
If you find that text size is inconsistent across websites in w3m, it's possible that different websites are using different font sizes. While w3m does its best to maintain an even font size across websites, it may not always be possible to achieve 100% consistency. The best way to ensure consistency is by adjusting the font size manually using the methods discussed in this article.
Conclusion
Adjusting text size is an important aspect of web browsing, and w3m browser makes it easy to do so. By following the methods discussed in this article, you can ensure that text size is always at a comfortable level for you. Whether you prefer modifying w3m configurations or using terminal commands, there's a method that will suit your needs. With this guide, you should be able to adjust text size in w3m without any issues. Happy browsing!