A personal account of integrating a vintage DEC VT220 serial terminal into a modern Linux desktop workflow. The setup involves connecting the terminal via USB-to-serial adapter, configuring systemd agetty with autologin, using tmux as a bridge between the terminal and the main desktop session, and patching the sway window manager to create a fake virtual output so the VT220 can be treated like a fourth monitor. Shell scripts handle automatic login and session handoff, eliminating the need for the original LK201 keyboard.

6m read timeFrom drewdevault.com
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HardwareBasic SetupRemoving the keyboardTreating the terminal as another output

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