Re: Insert/Overwrite mode

Overwrite mode is useful for form-filling on documents or emails.

eg Sender sends email containing message having entries like

NAME: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Addressee replies after overtyping the Xs.

Another use is for typists unfamiliar with word processors! Nevertheless,
insert mode is almost always more useful, but can confuse editors when parts
of a document get pushed around unexpectedly.

Frank

----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger" <rogerx.oss@gmail.com>
To: <abiword-user@abisource.com>
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 6:03 AM
Subject: Re: Insert/Overwrite mode

>
>> On Sun, Jan 01, 2012 at 01:56:07PM -0800, Richard L. Dery wrote:
>>
>>I'm preparing an introductory class on word processing and have a couple
>>of questions.
>>
>>All of the materials I've been using to prepare for the class mention
>>that overwrite mode is rarely used, and is typically entered by
>>accidentaly pressing the Insert key.
>>
>>Here are the questions:
>>
>>What good is overwrite mode?
>>
>>Why is it included in word processing software?
>
> As a avid VI/VIM user and from past experience in the 80's, overwrite mode
> prevents having to hold the delete key down to delete an entire line or
> more.
>
> VIM uses a replace mode to perform similar, but in my experience it saves
> pushing several keys to delete and create anew.
>
> Nowadays, since Windows, one can use the mouse to select and cut/delete
> text --
> and now replace mode is rarely used. But all VIM'ers and typers will
> testify
> using replace mode is much quicker and prevents the hands from leaving the
> keyboard and reaching for the mouse and then return once again to the
> keyboard
> and finding proper key placement.
>
> Aside from this, you're likely looking for the reason for creating replace
> mode, but I think I may have already described this above. Another neat
> tidbit
> is using line editors. Line editors were invented before today's text
> editors
> and I'm pretty sure from my recent research replacement mode is a feature
> of
> the line editors. (The ed/ex line editor, and the later
> grep/vi/vim/sed/awk.)
>
> --
> Roger
> http://rogerx.freeshell.org/
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Received on Tue Jan 3 01:09:58 2012