man pages are an integral part of Linux folklore. Even seasoned Linux users have to refer to man pages every once in a while. Wouldn't it be so much more fun with a little added color?

If you run X windows, it is not much trouble to add some color to the otherwise very technical and curt manuals. Just copy the file called XTerm under app-defaults directory:

$ cp /usr/share/X11/app-defaults/XTerm ~/.Xdefaults

Edit the file and uncomment these lines:

*VT100*colorULMode: on
*VT100*colorUL: yellow
!*VT100*italicULMode: on
*VT100*underLine: off
! Uncomment this to use color for the bold attribute
*VT100*colorBDMode: on
*VT100*colorBD: red

Enjoy the colorful man pages! Of course you could try colors other than red and yellow.

This Tech Tip comes from Girish in India. Thanks, Girish!

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