Changes/Noto CJK Variable Fonts

Noto CJK Variable Fonts

This is a proposed Change for Fedora Linux.
This document represents a proposed Change. As part of the Changes process, proposals are publicly announced in order to receive community feedback. This proposal will only be implemented if approved by the Fedora Engineering Steering Committee.

Summary

Switch the default Noto CJK fonts for Chinese, Japanese and Korean from static to variable fonts.

Owner

• Name: Peng Wu
• Email: pwu@redhat.com

Current status

• Targeted release: Fedora Linux 38
• Last updated: 2023-01-04
• FESCo issue: <will be assigned by the Wrangler>
• Tracker bug: <will be assigned by the Wrangler>
• Release notes tracker: <will be assigned by the Wrangler>

Detailed Description

In order to reduce the font size in Noto CJK fonts, we plan to switch to use the variable fonts by default.

1. Split the google-noto-cjk-fonts package into google-noto-cjk-sans-fonts and google-noto-cjk-serif-fonts, and provide the variable fonts in google-noto-cjk-sans-vf-fonts and google-noto-cjk-serif-vf-fonts.
2. Drop several sub packages which are not installed by default from the google-noto-cjk-fonts package.
   1. Like google-noto-sans-cjk-*-fonts, google-noto-sans-*-fonts, google-noto-sans-mono-cjk-*-fonts, google-noto-serif-cjk-*-fonts and google-noto-serif-*-fonts
3. Install the Noto CJK Variable Fonts by default.

Fedora Copr for testing: https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org/coprs/pwu/noto-cjk/

Benefit to Fedora

The variable fonts will reduce the disk space usage and installer image size compared to the static fonts.

Scope

• Proposal owners:
  • Package four font packages for Noto CJK fonts
  • Retire google-noto-cjk-fonts in Fedora rawhide
  • Switch to install variable fonts by default in fedora-comps and langpacks

• Other developers:

• Release engineering: #Releng issue number
  • Update to use the Noto CJK variable fonts in the installer image
    • Replace google-noto-sans-cjk-ttc-fonts with the google-noto-cjk-sans-vf-fonts package

• Policies and guidelines: N/A (not needed for this Change)
• Trademark approval: N/A (not needed for this Change)
• Alignment with Objectives:

Upgrade/compatibility impact

When upgrade, the variable fonts will be installed by default.

How To Test

• Please upgrade to Fedora 38 or rawhide to get the latest fonts
• Install the variable fonts: google-noto-cjk-sans-vf-fonts and google-noto-cjk-serif-vf-fonts
  • Check the google-noto-sans-cjk-ttc-fonts and google-noto-serif-cjk-ttc-fonts packages are replaced
• Then use CJK locales to check if the new fonts have any problem

User Experience

This new variable fonts will reduce the disk space usage and installer image size.

Contingency Plan

• Contingency mechanism: Use the static fonts by default - google-noto-cjk-sans-fonts and google-noto-cjk-serif-fonts
• Contingency deadline: N/A (not a System Wide Change)
• Blocks release? N/A (not a System Wide Change), Yes/No

Documentation

N/A (not a System Wide Change)

Release Notes

This new variable fonts will reduce the disk space usage and installer image size.