I'm trying to build a Linux console text window system. I know there are ncurses, etc. based libraries around. But sending a "console codes" escape sequence directly to the linux virtual terminal driver is as direct as can be. Interestingly, when trying to figure out a text window widget set I looked at the old XPM icon format. The XPM format, of course, is for pixel arrays on the X graphical system. But why not use it for character arrays on a text terminal?? You can design the dialog window in a text editor, store it in a normal file, and all the usual file descriptor stuff is available. The reason I raise the issue, is I'm sure the XPM pixel format was itself copied from a paper teleprinter format. Is there any awareness of this pre-Unix paper forms around?? My guess is it would be the 1960's or 1970's when memory and speed were very expensive, like on modern embedded controllers.