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Apur-phy.166 fa.editor-p utzoo!decvax!pur-ee!pur-phy!crl Wed Dec 9 12:51:26 1981 Insert modes, etc. I disagree with the statement that an explicit insert mode is preferable to using control characters as commands. Having worked with EMACS for a year previously, and then having to switch to VI has made me realize how much I missed EMACS way of handling text insertion. Previously, when I mispelled a word or decided to change one a couple back, I always went back, made the correction, and then returned to my original point. In vi, due to the habit of using ^H a lot to correct type-in, I almost always end up deleting backwards with the backspace until I reach the point I want to change. It just doesn't appeal to me to end the insert mode and then back up. Watching others edit, I get the same impression. True, one might reply that this is my (and my friends') problem, but it is a fact of life that correcting a mistake with ^H is so natural on UNIX that it's hard to break the habit. Also, at times I have forgotten that at some point I had left insert mode and begin typing text, which vi took as commands. While this is isn't likely to be disastrous, it is a pain sometimes to get back to the starting point.

On a different but related point, I don't like to use an editor which defaults to overwrite mode on insert, such as ned or e. However, since I almost never use these, I admit that maybe I could get to like it, but right now it seems that there is too much of a possibility of overwriting text inadvertently.

Now for something completely different, I'm wondering if anyone can give me information about an implementation of EMACS that would run on an 11/44 running 2.8bsd. I can get versions that would run (I think) overlaid, but I'd like to avoid this, if possible. Please respond to me via mail, rather than the net, unless others pipe up also wanting to know.

Charles LaBrec pur-ee!purdue!pur-phy!crl

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