From: utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!C70:editor-people
Newsgroups: fa.editor-p
Title: Small Computer Editors/Insert mode
Article-I.D.: ucb.1388
Posted: Sat Jun 19 04:36:23 1982
Received: Sun Jun 20 01:09:39 1982

>From KLOTZ@MIT-OZ Sat Jun 19 04:32:37 1982
Most microcomputer editors that use writeover mode as the default exit
insert mode too frequently for me.

For example, in Scripsit you can insert one character, one line, or one
block.  I don't think there is an easy provision (like your ^F) to toggle
insert mode.  Editing in the middle of a paragraph is cumbersome, since
you have to create space and then write over it.  EasyWriter is similar,
except it has bugs a redisplay bug that lets you write over the next
paragraph without knowing it.

I believe that WRITE is probably reasonable in this respect.  WordStar
is, too.  What I despise is an editor that leaves insert mode
when you press return, or that doesn't allow you all editing
commands when the editor is in insert mode.

I'm going to try binding M-X OverWrite Mode to the backspace key in
EMACS, and see if it fits well into the way I edit.  It probably doesn't,
but that's a matter of personal preference.  Again, what distracts
me is having to exit insert mode to do editing of what I just typed,
or having to re-enter insert mode to add more than some arbitrary
amount of text.

Leigh.
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