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From: guy@gorodish.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sources.d,comp.emacs
Subject: Re: when using termcap, get it right!
Message-ID: <21251@sun.uucp>
Date: Tue, 16-Jun-87 16:05:20 EDT
Article-I.D.: sun.21251
Posted: Tue Jun 16 16:05:20 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 18-Jun-87 04:11:21 EDT
References: <1149@carthage.swatsun.UUCP> <8601@tekecs.TEK.COM> <6828@mimsy.UUCP> <189@auvax.UUCP>
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Keywords: termcap, curses
Xref: utgpu comp.sources.d:794 comp.emacs:1028
Summary: And some of us do

> I have to conclude that Function Key editors were not invented by typists.

I have to conclude that this is a flame based on personal anecdotal
evidence.  There are benefits to function keys (for one thing, you
don't have to hit a shift key - I, for one, find I occasionally get
^X-^N when I want ^X-n) and there are benefits to control keys (you
don't have to move your hands from the main keyboard).

However, it is possible to work with a program that uses control keys
(most of the time I don't end up getting ^X-^N when I want ^X-n) and
it is possible to work with a program that uses function keys (when
useing such an editor my hands learned where the function keys were,
and I could go there and back very quickly without looking).

I have yet to see any objective evidence to indicate either that function
keys are clearly superior to control keys or that control keys are
clearly superior to function keys.  It would be interesting to see
experimental (as opposed to anecdotal) evidence either way.

You can say that you work better with control keys, or that you work better
with function keys, but not that "control keys are better" or
"function keys are better".
	Guy Harris
	{ihnp4, decvax, seismo, decwrl, ...}!sun!guy
	guy@sun.com