Package: dselect Version: 1.12.2 dselect is more complicated than it needs to be. Anyone who has used the package selector for RedHat can understand why people like it so much. I like having a versatile interface such as the one dselect offers, but it shouldn't be so incompatible keystroke-wise with other common interfaces.
1. A consistent key should be chosen for the `quit' function, to exit the current task. It's `q' here, space there, and enter there. Space and enter should do something else. In most applications, such as `dialog' enter selects, it doesn't quit. Space is also usually a selection or toggle options, but never exit. It's really bizarre and confusing that space and enter would do these things. 2. A consistent key(s) should be chosen for the `help'. I suggest F1 and Ctrl-h throughout. (Like DOS or Emacs) 3. Using `/' for search forward makes me want to use `?' to search in reverse. I hit it often enough to get really frustrated. (`?' in `less' and `vi') 4. `/' should remember the last search instead of requiring a separate keystroke, `\'. (`/' in `less' and `vi') 5. The package list browser should not start in help mode. There is a reason that Emacs has an inhibit-startup-message variable. 6. The EIOM columns are not very intuitive. Remove the short description (or move it over) since a long one is displayed below and extend these toggles such that they are understandable.