Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

Shuk · 2011-07-05 22:02:48

Hi,

I wrote a simple text pager, it shows text in console. But it does it with animated transitions between pages, including matrix-style columns of random symbols trickling down the screen, leaving text after them.

Video: https://youtu.be/EuGp7daniX0

It can:
- read text from [multiple] files or stdin;
- output formatted text to screen with one of animations or into stdout (if it is redirected)
- available animations are none, matrix, reverse_matrix, fire, beam.
- run in interactive mode (default)
- run in non-interactive mode, autoscroll through text;
- run infinitely, reading files over and over again, until 'q' is pressed;
- centrate text vertically and horizontally (each string separately or using longest string, this is useful for ascii art)
- block until specified number of lines is read (it responds to commands while it is blocked), is stdin is used;
- show pages forward and backward;

You can find sources on github, https://github.com/dhurum/mattext/
Package in AUR: https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/mattext/

Last edited by Shuk (2015-12-01 20:05:56)

juster · 2011-07-06 21:39:45

This is pretty cute Cool idea I like it.

Shuk · 2011-07-17 20:15:32

juster wrote:

This is pretty cute Cool idea I like it.

Thank you for your feedback, I'm glad that someone found this program cool.

I made small code update, now mattext supports multibyte characters.

WorMzy · 2011-07-17 20:39:27

Haha, this is great. Not as frivolous as sl, but a pretty neat idea nonetheless.

examon · 2011-07-17 21:18:01

I installed it via PKGBUILD. If I put 'mattext' in console I see only "darkness" any ideas?

WorMzy · 2011-07-17 21:34:43

It's a pager. Use it like less, more, most, vimpager, etc.

examon · 2011-07-18 09:49:38

Oh I know what you mean now.. thanks

lolilolicon · 2011-07-18 10:47:10

First thing I did after build was `mattext mattext.c`. Nice.
The CPU usage by urxvt and mattext is a bit high though (same thing with cmatrix)...

X-dark · 2011-08-01 11:46:25

This is so useless that I have installed it!
Thanks!

Shuk · 2013-11-09 19:15:46

Two years later comes brand new version.
Code was rewritten, now it is much cleaner.
Animation became more smooth and much better looking.
Added half-width kana symbols (you can switch them off) and output colorization.
Added infinite-run mode, so you can somehow replicate cmatrix by running

echo "" | mattext -cni

I hope you will enjoy this new mattext: reloaded.

Last edited by Shuk (2013-11-09 19:16:12)

Shuk · 2013-11-15 19:22:07

Multiple input files support added. Now you can make a slideshow with your logs or collection af ascii art.

Shuk · 2013-11-20 20:09:58

New version is ready.

You can centrate text horizontally by longest string, it can be useful for ascii-art, option --centrate-horiz-longest.
Program doesn't block if stdin is used as text source.
Functional keys are now handled correctly (as one press, not multiple), exit on ctrl + D added.
Plus nasty memory corruption bug was fixed.

Also, I added some screenshots.

WorMzy · 2013-11-20 21:23:55

I have to install this on my work PC and start it running when people come to me with a problem. They'll think I'm doing something incredible complex and amazing, when all I'm actually doing is sshing into their machine and looking at their logs/clearing out their stockpile of ancient kernels.

"Hmm, yes, I see what the problem is: your data containment receptacles have become saturated with outdated conglomerations of modules and header files. I'm currently removing the excess of binary data, so your system will be fully operational again by the time you get back to your desk. Would you like a skittle?"

Unia · 2013-11-20 21:41:26

^ My friends think I'm hacking a video when they see mplayer's output...

Shuk · 2014-02-01 18:47:53

New version (0.7.1) is ready.
I implemented all features I could imagine to be useful in this useless pager, so if you have any new ideas - please, share them with me.

Last edited by Shuk (2014-02-01 18:48:10)

Shuk · 2015-12-01 18:13:12

Another year - another version.

New 0.8 can read files and pipes both forward and backward and has several animations: none, matrix, reverse_matrix, fire, beam.
You can take a look at them in this video: https://youtu.be/EuGp7daniX0

Arch Linux

#1 2011-07-05 22:02:48

Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

#2 2011-07-06 21:39:45

Re: Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

#3 2011-07-17 20:15:32

Re: Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

#4 2011-07-17 20:39:27

Re: Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

#5 2011-07-17 21:18:01

Re: Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

#6 2011-07-17 21:34:43

Re: Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

#7 2011-07-18 09:49:38

Re: Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

#8 2011-07-18 10:47:10

Re: Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

#9 2011-08-01 11:46:25

Re: Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

#10 2013-11-09 19:15:46

Re: Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

#11 2013-11-15 19:22:07

Re: Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

#12 2013-11-20 20:09:58

Re: Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

#13 2013-11-20 21:23:55

Re: Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

#14 2013-11-20 21:41:26

Re: Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

#15 2014-02-01 18:47:53

Re: Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

#16 2015-12-01 18:13:12

Re: Mattext - a simple console matrix-style text pager

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