Bob Bernstein composed on 2016-06-03 21:48 (UTC-0400):
I discovered and remedied that I only had one of the firmware-linux-free/nonfree packages installed. Then I enabled framebuffer and began to run dpkg-reconfigure console-setup with some success. I now have Terminus2Bold 16x32 to use in my console, or terminal, or whatever.
But I want bigger, to accommodate my failing eyes. This leads me -- ta da, finally! -- to my _question_:
Will a given font appear smaller or larger if the screen resolution is increased or decreased?
To enable framebuffer I set in /etc/default/grub:
GRUB_GFXMODE=1024x768 GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=1024x768 and rem'd out # GRUB_TERMINAL=console
The output of 'hwinfo --framebuffer' suggests I have many other larger and smaller resolutions available to me, but I am not one to muck around with undue familiarity in those far reaches.
If I _knew_ that the result of setting a lesser resolution, say, 800x600, would render those Terminus2Bold 16x32 jobbies "bigger" on my monitor, I would rally round and charge into it!
Keeping all else equal, screen dimensions in mm or cm or inches in particular, changing resolution has a big impact on text size. Fewer pixels in a given space means a lower pixel density. So, conversely, more pixels in a given space means higher pixel density. A 16x32 glyph is nominally 16px wide by 32px tall. Those pixels necessarily take up more space as resolution and density are lowered.
In summary, 16x32 at a lower screen resolution translates to a bigger glyph on any given display.
-- "The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive." Proverbs 16:21 (New Living Translation) Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 ** a11y rocks! Felix Miata *** http://fm.no-ip.com/