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From: roseman@cpsc.ucalgary.ca (Mark Roseman)
Newsgroups: comp.editors
Subject: Re: looking for *simple* unix editor
Message-ID: <1991May26.170721.12216@cpsc.ucalgary.ca>
Date: 26 May 91 17:07:21 GMT
Organization: U. of Calgary Computer Science
Lines: 30

I earlier asked about a simple editor for Unix, for use with some fairly
bright high school kids, but who possibly are unfamiliar with computers.
I've received a few replies (thanks!) suggesting the use of vi or some
variety of emacs.

I'd ruled out vi already -- its not something you can get comfortable with
in five minutes (try explaining to computer novices why you need modes,
and then why "hjkl" are reasonable, and expect them to intuitively grasp
it.. remember, this is for short periods; if they were learning unix for
regular use, they'd be learning emacs or vi for sure!).  Emacs had more
hope for me anyways (I use emacs myself).

I talked to one of our system hacks here, and he wants to set up 
some stuff either in MicroGmacs or Gmacs that would do what I wanted:

	* insert text
	* move with arrow keys
	* delete, backspace work as normal
	* escape key exits editor, prompting dialog to save if necessary
	* every other function turned off (no explaining why that weird
	  message got on the screen)  {probably put in an obscure backdoor
	  to get out of the mode anyways...}



-- 
==============================================================================
Mark Roseman
Dept. of Computer Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.  T2N 1N4
(403) 220-5769   roseman@cpsc.ucalgary.ca    {ubc-cs|alberta}!calgary!roseman