Currently checked out branch is not bold in gitk when using ssh X-forwarding

I'm running into a rather arcane issue and I am hoping someone here might be familiar with it. Here's the scenario: I have a build server that has git 1.7.0.4. If I use a local X-window system and start gitk the currently checked out branch is displayed in bold font as normal. If I remotely log in using an older Fedora 11 box (ssh -X buildserver) when I start gitk the currently checked out branch is displayed in bold font as normal. However, when I log in from my newer Ubuntu 11.11 laptop (ssh -X buildserver) and start gitk the currently checked out branch is not displayed in bold font. In fact, all the fonts are a little ugly, though it is the lack of bold that is the hardest to work with. My theory is it has something to do with Tcl/Tk/Wish. On the build server and the old Fedora box /usr/bin/wish -> /usr/bin/wish8.4 , but on my Ubuntu laptop /usr/bin/wish -> /usr/bin/wish8.5. I've tried installing tk8.4 and changing the symlink on the laptop but it doesn't help. Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks! Jeremy

On 3/22/2012 4:10 PM, Jeremy Ramer wrote:

FWIW, my theory is that is has something to do with your fonts. Just a simple end user observation. I'm not a gitk programmer.

Maybe you don't have your fonts set for what-you-want in gitk. Maybe you don't have the fonts installed/setup on your ubuntu box for what-you-want in gitk.

I assume gitk uses the fonts that you tell it to, or that are available.

Hope this helps.

v/r, neal

On 3/22/2012 6:08 PM, Neal Kreitzinger wrote:

Hint: the bold version of a font is its own font.  You could have the 
non-bold font installed, but not the bold font.  Here's a link on how to
install fonts: http://karmak.org/archive/2004/06/ttfonts.html?lang=en

*If* that is the reason for your lack of bold-ness in gitk.

Also, I see from my install log that it does do something with fonts:

  DEST /usr/share/git-gui/lib
     INSTALL 644 tclIndex
     INSTALL 644 about.tcl
     INSTALL 644 blame.tcl
     INSTALL 644 branch_checkout.tcl
     INSTALL 644 branch_create.tcl
     INSTALL 644 branch_delete.tcl
     INSTALL 644 branch_rename.tcl
     INSTALL 644 branch.tcl
     INSTALL 644 browser.tcl
     INSTALL 644 checkout_op.tcl
     INSTALL 644 choose_font.tcl

I'm not sure how closely gitk and git-gui are tied together.

Hope this helps some more.

v/r, neal

On Thu, Mar 22, 2012 at 6:02 PM, Neal Kreitzinger <nkreitzinger@gmail.com> wrote:

It does seem to be a font issue. The strange thing is that the fonts work correctly when I do it locally on my laptop and when I do it locally on the build server. But when I use the ssh x-forwarding the fonts seem broken. I've tried installing several font packages with no luck.

I have found a workaround that resolves my issue for now. I changed the font used in gitk to "fixed" (Helvetica is the default selection, but doesn't appear in the list when I try to change the font). With fixed the bold checked out branch shows up properly.

Thanks! Jeremy