How to enable font subpixel smoothing in gnome-shell (Fedora 18)

The default desktop for Fedora 18, gnome-shell, does not offer an intuitive way to enable font sub-pixel smoothing for LCD monitor. Gnome 2 desktop had Fonts configuration utility for ages, but with gnome-shell, this useful capability is well-hidden.

• Enable RPM Fusion repository. Click on RPM Fusion free for Fedora 18 link to install repository's configuration on your machine.


• Install freetype-freeworld fronts package:

   
  $ sudo yum -y install freetype-freeworld
  
  



• If doesn't exist, create $HOME/.Xresources file and turn subpixel rendering on:

   
  Xft.lcdfilter:  lcddefault
  
  



• Start gnome-tweak-tool utility and configure:
• "Font Hinting" to "None"
• "Font Antialiasing" to "Rgba"

Reboot your machine.

Login back and validate the settings:

$ xrdb -query

Xft.antialias: 1
Xft.dpi: 96
Xft.hinting: 0
Xft.hintstyle: hintnone
Xft.lcdfilter: lcddefault
Xft.rgba: rgb

You might also upgrade your version of liberation-fonts from Koji build for FC18. They are a good replacement for msttcorefonts.

If all went as suggested, you should enjoy better-looking desktop.

In conclusion, I might add that it is a crying shame for gnome-shell developers to destroy well-established Gnome desktop ecosystem in their relentless pursuit of the tablet market at the expense of poor Linux desktop users.