See also Postgresql, Linux Software
Less is my default terminal pager program. On GNU Debian Linux pager is just a symbolic link to your less or one of other available pager progams like more , most , lv etc..( run update-alternatives —list pager to find out alternative pager programs available on your computer). Lately some funny characters started showing up in my pager .
This affects postgresql - I set it with the following parameters:
export PAGER='/usr/bin/less -X' export LESS='-R'
Reference: http://playingwithsid.blogspot.com/2008/01/raw-control-characters-in-less-pager.html
NOTE: This really applies to Postgres