Public bug reported:
Currently, GNU nano 7.2 on Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS requires users to press
Alt+M (Meta+M) to enable mouse mode for text selection. This introduces
several usability challenges and accessibility barriers, especially for
users who operate with one hand, find keyboard shortcuts difficult, or
prefer a more streamlined mouse-centric workflow.
Current Limitations in GNU nano 7.2 (and earlier versions):
Requirement for Mouse Mode (Alt+M): Text selection and copying with the
mouse are only possible when mouse mode is activated. This means users
must constantly switch modes, interrupting their workflow.
Lack of Continuous Scrolling during Selection: When attempting to select
text by dragging the mouse, the selection stops at the current screen
boundary. Users must manually scroll down to continue selecting text
beyond what is visible, which is cumbersome and time-consuming for large
files.
No Direct Copy Functionality: Even in mouse mode, there isn't an
immediate option to copy selected text without further keyboard input or
specific context menu.
Proposed Features for nano and Ubuntu:
I propose the following enhancements to significantly improve the user
experience and accessibility of GNU nano:
"Always-on Mouse Selection" Mode (Default or Configurable Option):
Allow users to drag and select text with the mouse immediately, without
the need to press Alt+M beforehand. This would make mouse selection
behave more like standard graphical text editors.
Crucially, when dragging the mouse to select text, the editor should
automatically scroll down (or up) the file when the cursor reaches the
top or bottom of the visible screen, enabling continuous selection
across multiple screenfuls of text until the mouse button is released.
This addresses the current pain point of selections stopping at screen
boundaries.
"Copy on Drag-and-Select" Functionality (or Context Menu Option):
Upon releasing the mouse button after selecting text, there should be an
option to copy the selected text directly. This could be implemented as:
An automatic copy to the clipboard.
A right-click context menu appearing after selection, offering a "Copy"
option (and potentially "Paste" or "Cut").
Benefits of these Enhancements:
Improved Accessibility: Greatly benefits users who operate with one
hand, have motor difficulties, or find keyboard shortcuts cumbersome.
Enhanced Efficiency: Eliminates the need for constant mode switching and
manual scrolling during selection, making text manipulation faster and
more intuitive.
Modern User Experience: Aligns nano's mouse behavior with expectations
from modern text editors, making it more approachable for new users.
Streamlined Workflow: Allows for seamless selection and copying,
reducing interruptions and increasing productivity, especially when
dealing with large code files or logs.
Environment:
GNU nano version: 7.2
Ubuntu version: 24.04.1 LTS
This feature request aims to make GNU nano a more versatile and user-
friendly editor for a wider range of users by leveraging mouse
capabilities more effectively.
** Affects: nano (Ubuntu)
Importance: Undecided
Status: New
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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2117462
Title:
Feature Request: Enhance mouse selection in GNU nano for continuous
scrolling and direct copy without Alt+M
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