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Display messd up with weird characters in Gentoo after `cat` a binary file

Display messd up with weird characters in Gentoo after `cat` a binary file

I ran cat /etc/localtime to see the contents of /etc/localtime - however it's a binary file, so my console became like this:

Asked by: Guest | Views: 292
Total answers/comments: 2
Guest [Entry]

"yeah, you've output (probably) binary to the console, and its faffed up the mapping.

In situations like this, the command you want is reset.

hit return (so you know you have a blank line), type in reset and hit return again. :-D"
Guest [Entry]

"Try running the reset command. If hitting return before and after the reset command doesn't work, try control-J.

Also, Alt-F2 to switch to an alternate terminal can bypass the issue temporarily."