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It is fun comparing the key sequences to a modern emacs. I looked through the section for "Basic Buffer Editing Info" and every one of the key commands mention
by nickcw 8y ago
It is fun comparing the key sequences to a modern emacs.
I looked through the section for "Basic Buffer Editing Info" and every one of the key commands mentioned there would work in a modern emacs!
You can now use fancy cursor keys rather than CTRL-P, CTRL-N but if an emacs user from 1978 was stuck in front of an emacs today then they could get straight to work :-)
The meta keys look a bit different though. You type two alt-modes (whatever they are) to get into the mini-buffer and then enter "MM-commands". In modern emacs you type Meta-x (Alt-x on most keyboards) to get into the same mode.
- gnulinux 8y agoThis is one of the reasons I prefer using old, established, principled FLOSS software as opposed to Enterprise software. I don't have to change my habits because a middle manager decided to change the product to get a promotion.
- gumby 8y agoBefore m-x commands you'd type a couple of altmodes to type raw TECO for Emacs to execute (like typing a string of ed commands into vi when not in insert mode). altmode was a special key on the TK TV displays we used. On an ASCII terminal the escape key would also send an altmode, which was printed as a dollar sign. I sometimes absentmindedly try to press meta-escape to do something in Emacs.