---- andre <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Op ma 21-01-2002, om 19:37 schreef Franki: > > personally, I think even a mostly brian-dead user could figure out > how to > > use mc and mcedit .. > > > > especially since anyone who has used windows for any length of time > would be > > familiar with xtree and norton commander... > > > > rgds > > > > Frank > > > > > > Sadly this is not true. Most new computer users have even trouble using > a mouse. Let alone something like the interface off mcedit. It is > something that is easy(and guesseable) for people who are comfortable > with computers but for new computer users it is something that is very > difficult to use >
I am not familiar with many of the editors available, but I can offer a suggestion for helping make the decision: Think about how you would explain to a complete newbie what he needs to do to edit XF86Config-4. With pico, it's easy. With vi, it's impossible - the minute they type "i" to get into insert mode they will be lost, cause no matter how many times you tell them that the i will NOT appear in the text, they expect an i to appear in the text. Other things that even a complete novice will expect - functional cursor control using the cursor control (arrow) keys, the delete key to delete something, and the backspace key to either move the cursor left or delete the character to the left. Having the backspace key delete the character to the right of the cursor causes newbies to mutter words not suitable for polite company. Saving changes and exiting the editor should be simple, however defining simple here is not so easy. Ctrl+q for quit makes sense to me, but I've helped newbies who really had a hard time grasping the concept of using two keys at the same time. (Me:"Press the CTRL key and hold it pressed, press the Q key" Newbie:"I did that and a Q appeared at the end of the document. I don't want a Q, I want to quit." Me:"<mutter obscenities>") The ESC key comes in handy at times like these, if it's implemented in the editor. :) Just my .75 (I'm on the clock and I type slow). PS. I've used every DOS and Win version ever released and have never used xtree or Norton Commander. -- Murray J. Root [EMAIL PROTECTED] - email (404) 978-1262 x2646 - voicemail/fax __________________________________________________ FREE voicemail, email, and fax...all in one place. Sign Up Now! http://www.onebox.com
