Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!rutgers!mit-eddie!bob From: bob@eddie.mit.edu@lmi-angel.UUCP (Bob Chassell) Newsgroups: comp.emacs Subject: Backup files and auto-deletion Message-ID: <8701061830.AA00965@lmi-angel.ARPA> Date: Tue, 6-Jan-87 13:30:05 EST Article-I.D.: lmi-ange.8701061830.AA00965 Posted: Tue Jan 6 13:30:05 1987 Date-Received: Tue, 6-Jan-87 23:13:41 EST Sender: daemon@mit-eddie.MIT.EDU Lines: 26 I propose changing the default behavior of backups to make *one* backup. .... In short, we need two backup flavors. This is the current default behavior on the current 17.64 release and is described in the manual, which says "At your option, Emacs can keep either a single backup file or a series of numbered backup files.... If you chose to have a single backup file (this is the default)...." ... rms has as usual gone off half-cocked... In this circumstance I do not see how he could do better. Numbered backups were invented because people complained that a single backup is not enough; because at absorbs diskspace, numbered backups are an option that is not the default. I use numbered backups on the files that need them and single backups on the rest. It works well. Also, someone mentioned recently that they were collecting autosave files and weren't keen on them. First, let me say that autosave files are a wonderful invention. I have worked on systems without such a feature and lost work. Autosave files pay for themselves many times over. If you don't want the autosave files to clutter up your directory, set the variable delete-auto-save-files to t. When this is done, Emacs will delete the autosave file when you save the file yourself. This will keep your directories clean.