user21201: I just purchased a RedBoard, knowing that it would work on Linux, and knowing that it could allow me to easily interface with some electronics project. I am aware of the ino command line tool but I wanted to try interfacing with my board using the Arduino IDE because the latter seems to be somewhat standard. However, when I open the IDE I see a blinking cursor and for whatever reason I can't deal with this. How do I turn off the blinking cursor in the IDE?
I've managed to fix the blinking cursor problem in Firefox, GNOME, KDE, and my terminal... just not sure what to do with Java applications like Arduino IDE.

user10794: As suggested by Gerben, you can go into Preferences and check the box "Use external editor":

Now you can edit with your favourite editing program.
With this option active the IDE will show your sketch but in a non-editable way, and with a blue (cyan?) backwash:

Whenever you save the file in your external editor the IDE will detect the change and refresh the code shown in the internal editor.
Effectively you have replaced the IDE's editor with your own, but still use the IDE to compile and upload your sketches.

user27924: Note: does not work with version 1.6.11. Works with 1.0.6

Open the Arduino IDE
Go to File 
Then go to Preferences
At the bottom of the page is the file location you can enter to set additional preferences
Exit the Arduino IDE
Go to the preferences file location then set editor.caret.blink=false
Then save
Then restart the IDE and the caret will not flash


21201: <p>I just purchased a RedBoard, knowing that it would work on Linux, and knowing that it could allow me to easily interface with some electronics project. I am aware of the <code>ino</code> command line tool but I wanted to try interfacing with my board using the Arduino IDE because the latter seems to be somewhat standard. However, when I open the IDE I see a blinking cursor and for whatever reason I can't deal with this. How do I turn off the blinking cursor in the IDE?</p>

<p>I've managed to fix the blinking cursor problem in Firefox, GNOME, KDE, and my terminal... just not sure what to do with Java applications like Arduino IDE.</p>
 10794: <p>As suggested by Gerben, you can go into Preferences and check the box "Use external editor":</p>

<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Ib32x.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Ib32x.png" alt="Arduino Preferences"></a></p>

<p>Now you can edit with your favourite editing program.</p>

<p>With this option active the IDE will show your sketch but in a non-editable way, and with a blue (cyan?) backwash:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/dHYJB.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/dHYJB.png" alt="External editor"></a></p>

<p>Whenever you save the file in your external editor the IDE will detect the change and refresh the code shown in the internal editor.</p>

<p>Effectively you have replaced the IDE's editor with your own, but still use the IDE to compile and upload your sketches.</p>
 27924: <p><strong>Note:</strong> does not work with version 1.6.11. Works with 1.0.6</p>

<ul>
<li>Open the Arduino IDE</li>
<li>Go to File </li>
<li>Then go to Preferences</li>
<li>At the bottom of the page is the file location you can enter to set additional preferences</li>
<li>Exit the Arduino IDE</li>
<li>Go to the preferences file location then set <code>editor.caret.blink=false</code></li>
<li>Then save</li>
<li>Then restart the IDE and the <strong>caret</strong> will not flash</li>
</ul>
