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I want to run old computers without GUI.

If I use the command xrandr -x in a Linux system (with GUI), the whole screen is reflected (mirrored) around the Y-axis (along the X-axis).  So text is mirror-text, like:

pod
        changes to
                           boq

and LED/6
      changes to (something like)
                    ∂ \⫏∃⌋

(but by actually reflecting the characters, not substituting similar-looking ones).

Even the layout is reflected like a mirror would be on the right or left side of the display, and you would watch into the mirror.  I use my computer this way, so also reading not from left to right.  I read text inverted from right to left.  The letters are each themselves mirrored.

Without graphical user interface, I can't use xrandr -x.  So I am searching for a command that inverts the whole screen to x-axis timeless in the tty, so I can read text and use commands mirrored.  Text always starts from the right side of the screen.  It is like Arabic is written, but with Latin/Roman letters and other characters normally displayable in the console/terminal.

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  • Please describe in plain language what you want to accomplish.  For example, do you mean that you want text to scroll down, with output appearing above the command that generated it?  Or do you mean that you want text to appear right-to-left?  Do you want cat to appear as tac, or do you also want characters to appear as mirror images?  … … … … … …  Please do not respond in comments; edit your question to make it clearer and more complete. Commented Jul 31, 2024 at 19:28
  • OK, thanks for that.  But I asked whether you wanted letters simply to appear in reverse order, or to appear as mirror images, and you said you want “ow” to change to “wo”.  Those are two of the least illustrative letters you could have chosen (along with ‘l’, ‘v’, ‘x’, ‘A’, ‘H’, ‘I’, ‘M’, ‘T’, ‘U’, and ‘Y’).  … … … … … … … …  That said, while I don’t know for sure, I’d be surprised if you can do this with Linux in general.  It might be possible at the graphics card level.  Can you provide information about the graphics hardware on the computer(s) where you want to do this? Commented Jul 31, 2024 at 23:24
  • I don't want those characters just to appear in reverse order, I want them as mirror images. Sorry for using "wo" and "ow", you're right, that it doesen't make it clear enough, maybe this works: "p" should look like "q", and "d" should look like "b". And to be clear again about the orientation: Every sentence or line always starts not on the left side of the screen like usually, it shall start on the right side and the mirrorerd characters one after the other placed to the left side. I use an Intel HD graphics 520 on one computer. Is this enough information about the graphics hardware? Commented Aug 1, 2024 at 19:52
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    The main reason is a personal one. I am fine by mirroring my text with the command for the X Window system. But I want to learn more about the Linux-System at a lower(without GUI) level, and want learn to modify configurations. And this task is something really special to me, which motivates me a lot. A second is: One of mine machines takes much longer time to startx, it is very slow. Maybe I will get also an rapberry pi. I am not sure, wether I annoy somebody here with my own personal feelings(I thaught, this should not be here in the comment section). If so, let me know. Commented Aug 3, 2024 at 11:22
  • 1
    I feel being very different in my perspective how to look at this type of problem. I am very happy for your comments, every single sentence of them, (and the one before you). I will make my best out of your infos, even if it will take a lot of time. Have a nice day and night. Commented Aug 4, 2024 at 0:24

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