Re: -urw-* font is always used

[Jan D.]

> > This can occur when two different versions of FontConfig are used.
> > For example, XFree86 4.3.0 has one version and Gnome usually comes
> > with a newer version.  Emacs compiled with --with-gtk will then use
> > the newer version.  In most cases the problem can be temporarily
> > fixed by stopping the application that has the error (it can be
> > Emacs or any other application), removing ~/.fonts.cache-1,
> > and then start the application again.
>
> Is this specific to Emacs-Gtk ?

No not really.  It is just a case of using different versions of 
FontConfig.
However, the most common case is that XFree86 4.3.0 uses an older
version than Gnome, and if Emacs-Gtk is compiled against the Gtk 
libraries
in Gnome, the problem occurs.  I could reliably provoke the error by
starting KDE (compiled against FontConfig in 4.3.0) and then start any
Gnome 2.4 application (newer FontConfig).  Any KDE application started 
after
that showed only empty boxes.  I then reinstalled XFree86 with the newer
FontConfig, but then any KDE application always showed empty boxes.
A recompile of Qt (which depends on FontConfig) cured that.

> If yes, is it likely/possible that it will also become an issue with 
> other
> Emacs builds in the future (say when we introduce anti-aliasing or
> something)?

It can be an issue.  Emacs can get in the same problem as KDE in the
case above.

> PS: BTW, what happened to the anti-aliasing patch?

Don't know, I saw it on the list and thought it was checked in.

        Jan D.