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Aucbvax.5606 fa.unix-wizards utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!unix-wizards Sun Dec 27 12:50:20 1981 User-oriented line editor. >From decvax!utzoo!mleech@Berkeley Sun Dec 27 12:36:41 1981 [I am sending this to the unix-wizards list for lack of an Arpanet gateway and because other installations may be intererested...]

I have been developing a "dumb-user" oriented line editor at this department for about the last year and a half. We are a zoological department and most of our users have little or no experience in dealing with computerized text/word processing. I recognized the need for a friendly line editor and developed "TED"; this editor has gained wide acceptance and popularity in the department and is the "standard" editor. Here's what it has:

o A user-oriented set of error messages that attempt to fully describe any errors the user makes. o Protection against accidentally quitting the editor without saving the buffer. o Optional autosaving every 'n' added lines or changes to the buffer. o A comprehensive set of options to custom tailor the editing enviroment. o The ability to revert to a less-verbose set of error messages by changing an option. o The abiltiy to "recover" buffers that occasionally get lost because of a system crash--combined with autosaving it provides a protection against loss of files. o A pseudo PF-key faciltiy to define often-used editor commands with short escape sequences. o Is compatible with Bell's 'ed' editor--it is in fact a direct descendant. o Has the ability to initialize options and execute editor commands from a "profile" (much like .login or .profile). o Has a help facility.

One of its major problems, however, is that at this time its help files are badly in need of reworking--this should be rectified shortly. If you are interested please contact me at decvax!utzoo!mleech.

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