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- Writing messages
- ----------------
-
- There are two ways to write messages:
-
- 1) With the full-screen editor
- 2) With the line editor
-
- Each of these methods will be described seperately below. If you are using
- IBM ANSI graphics, then the full screen editor will be chosen for you. If not,
- then the line editor will be chosen.
-
- Line Editor
- -----------
- The line editor is the simplest of the two editors. You will just have to
- type your message. The lines will be wrapped automatically for you. You can
- a blank line to exit the entry mode. After exiting the entry mode, you will
- be presented with a small menu consisting of these options:
-
- Cont - Continue the current message. This will simply place you back into
- the line editor's entry mode.
-
- Insert - This will allow you to insert a line anywhere into the message
- where you want.
-
- Delete - This option will let you delete any line in the message.
-
- Visual - If you are using ANSI graphics, this will let you switch from
- the line editor to the full screen editor.
-
- Quote - If you are entering a reply, you may quote lines directly from
- the original message. With this option, you can also list the
- original message.
-
- Abort - This will quit the message editor without saving.
-
- Save - This will quit and save your message.
-
- Full-screen editor
- ------------------
- The commands of the full screen are best illustrated below:
-
-
- ╒══════< Cursor Movement >══════╤═══< Delete >════╤═════< Miscellaneous >═════╕
- │ ^S Char left ^D Char right │ ^G Character │ ^B Reformat paragraph │
- │ ^A Word left ^F Word right │ DEL Char left │ ^N Insert a RETURN │
- │ ^E Line up ^X Line down │ ^T Word right │ ^O Original msg display │
- │ ^I Tab cursor ^P Line end │ ^Y Line │ ^V Overtype/Insert mode │
- ╞═════════< Scrolling >═════════╡ │ ^Q Quote from Original │
- │ ^C Screen up ^R Screen down │ ^J Join lines │ ESC Exit to command mode │
- └───────────────────────────────┴─────────────────┴───────────────────────────┘
-
-
-
- Visual editing commands are WordStar-like control characters. If your
- terminal program provides ANSI keyboard emulation you will also be able
- to use the indicated function keys.
-
-
- << Cursor Motion >>
-
- Ctrl-S Move left 1 character (Left arrow key)
- Ctrl-D Move right 1 character (Right arrow key)
- Ctrl-E Move up 1 line (Up arrow key)
- Ctrl-X Move down 1 line (Down arrow key)
- Ctrl-A Move left 1 word
- Ctrl-F Move right 1 word
- Ctrl-I Tab cursor to next tabstop (Tab key)
- Ctrl-P Move cursor to line end (End key)
-
-
- << Scrolling >>
-
- Ctrl-R Move up a page (PgUp key)
- Ctrl-C Move down a page (PgDn key)
-
-
- << Delete >>
-
- Ctrl-G Delete (gobble) character under cursor
- Ctrl-H Delete character to the left of the cursor (Backspace)
- Ctrl-T Delete the word following the cursor
- Ctrl-Y Delete the current line
- Ctrl-J Join current line with next line
-
-
- << Mincellaneous >>
-
- Ctrl-B Reformat paragraph. A paragraph ends with the first line that is
- blank or that has leading spaces.
-
- Ctrl-L Clear screen and redisplay. (Home key)
- This also scrolls the screen so the cursor line is in the middle
- of the display.
-
- Ctrl-N Insert a RETURN. Splits line at the cursor.
-
- Ctrl-O Review the text of the Original message you were reading or replying.
-
- Ctrl-Q Quote lines from the origional message to which you are replying.
-
- Ctrl-V Toggle insert/overtype mode. (Ins key)
-
- ESC Exit visual mode and return to the Message Entry Command prompt.
-
-
-
- Insert Mode versus Overtype Mode
- --------------------------------
-
- In insert mode, all characters typed are INSERTED before the cursor. The
- ENTER key splits the line and BACKSPACE can re-join lines.
-
- In overtype mode, characters "type over" what was on the screen before.
- Overtype mode also disables the automatic line SPLIT / JOIN available in
- insert mode. Use ^N(split) and ^J(join) to manually split and join
- lines while in overtype mode.
-
-
-
- Keyboard emulation
- ------------------
-
- The easiest way to control the cursor in Visual Edit mode is to use your
- cursor keys. Most popular terminal programs provide some sort of
- keyboard emulation. Unfortunately, this emulation is either incomplete
- or requires you to go through an involved configuration process.
-
- The WordStar* command set was chosen as a control-character command set
- because it can function on virtually any keyboard and with any terminal
- emulation mode. It also has the advantage of leting you keep your
- fingers on the "home" keys while moving the cursor around.
-
-