> On Fri, Oct 16, 2026 at 11:35:19AM +0000, nia wrote:
> NetBSD is having an influx of new users. Some have mentioned having no
> alternative screen editor to vi(1) in base is an obstacle to getting
> their system configured. I've been trying to point new users to
> xedit(1), but this doesn't help if they're in single-user mode or
> can't get X running, or are limited to /rescue.
>
There is one "line (1D)" editor: ed(1). All the others are 2D even if
they are masquerading behind curses as console i.e. "command line"
utility and if the 2D environment is not correctly set up, you are
screwed. Ed(1) is worth mastering. And since a new user should only do
the strict minimum of editing to get things going, being only able to
do a basic editing is, altogether, not contrary to ergonomy...
--
Thierry Laronde <tlaronde +AT+ kergis +dot+ com>
http://www.kergis.com/
http://kertex.kergis.com/
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