You have several choices in selecting an editor. Each has advantages and disadvantages. You may change editors to fit specific tasks. For example, the system editor editor can be used to incorporate documents written off-line and the PICO editor can be used for on-line email and message composition.
The systems editor is just like a typewriter. Once you have pressed the ENTER key, you cannot go back.
Points to keep in mind:
Lines are limited to 65 characters, which is shown at the top of the typing area. Anything past that point will be lost. So if you're typing a document off-line, keep those margins tight.
To exit and save what you type, on a new line you type ### and press ENTER.
The up/download editor, is a method where you can use the word processor on your home/office PC to write messages and type documents. To use this method you need to understand the following concepts:
The upload and download transfer uses the ASCII transfer method. Your communications software must support ASCII transfers and must be set with CR/LF (carriage returns/line feed characters) turned off.
The documents that you type off-line need to be in straight ASCII, it cannot include control or escape characters. And remember to keep those margins tight.
RGFN will wait for you to complete the document before it goes onto another task.
Note: There are other methods of including documents and files in mail. Also see the Mail System section on appending files to a message and read the commands available in the Emacs-style editors.
Chet's Editor, or CE, is a full-screen Emacs-style editor. This means it allows you to edit text anywhere on your screen. These instructions are an introduction to the commands in Chet's editor or any Emacs. More detailed documentation for CE may be found on the RGFN system by typing 'go help' at any Your Choice ==> prompt.
The following are some key points to remember when using Chet's Editor:
Movement is controlled by the arrow keys and special actions are available using control and escape key combinations. See Chet Commands in this guide.
If a command calls for a control key combination, hold the control key down and then press the second key.
If a command calls for an escape key combination, press and release the ESC key and then press the second key.
Escape-X commands that require an input string will request that information on a line under the line that shows ce highlighted.
This editor does not have line wrapping. You must be careful not to type beyond the right edge of the screen.
vi is another emacs-style editor. While vi is not a menu item, if you have selected the systems editor, you will be using a modified version of vi. You will have the ability to move around with the arrow keys, but to insert and delete, you will have to know some of the different commands. See Newsreader Commands in this guide.
PICO is designed to be a simple, easy-to-use editor. It has many of the features of a full-featured wordprocessor including line wrap. A command menu is displayed on the bottom of the screen when you are in the PICO editor. See PICO Commands in this guide. We recommend that you use this editor.
RGFN User's Guide Copyright 1995: You may copy this guide and distribute it for educational purposes only and not for any other purpose.
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