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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