Mino (mino) version 1.0: Overview

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## 1 Overview of the mino (Mino) text editor

What is mino (Mino)? Prime is a GNU software, part of the GnuDOS package. Mino is a text file editor for use with the GNU/Linux console/xterm. The idea was to provide a text editor that is user friendly and easy to use for those who came from DOS land. Having accustomed to SHIFT selecting text, using CTRL-shortcut keys and so on makes it hard for a regular Joe to dive in head first into GNU syntax. Mino provides multi-level experience, the level of complexity can be adjusted by the user: you want to use DOS-keys with a few basic GNU ones? you want to go with the full power of the GNU system? All are options that are provided by the six levels of experience of Mino:

1- Newbie: All DOS shortcut keys, no GNU keys yet 2- Novice: DOS shortcut keys, some of which are replaced with GNU’s 3- Intermediate: DOS keys with a few more replaced with GNU keys 4- ÙAdvanced: ... And more GNU keys in 5- ÙExpert: Very few DOS keys, most are GNU keys 6- ÙVeteran: Only GNU keys, no DOS-like keys

You start with level 1 by default. To set your level, call the mino with ’–levelX’ or ’-lX’ options, Where X is the level desired, for example:

    $mino --level2

### Which keys are defined for which level?

Below is a table showing the DOS-like key combinations along with their respective GNU key bindings. To the right is the level at which a certain GNU key is defined. Each key defined is recognized in higher levels (e.g. level 2 keys are recognized in levels 3-4-5-6). Note that in level 6 only GNU keys are defined, no DOS keys will work at this level!.

Keybindings: In the table below, C-something means pressing down CTRL and then pressing the other key. Note that ’^’ is the same as ’C’, meaning CTRL key, it is just typed like this so DOS users can feel familiar with the text. The same as M-something, which means META or ALT.

===================================================================== Function DOS-like key GNU key GnuDOS Level ===================================================================== All DOS bindings and no GNU bindings Newbie

Next Line Down C-n Novice Prev. Line Up C-p Novice Backward Left C-b Novice Forward Right C-f Novice Back One Word ^Left M-b Intermediate Fwd One Word ^Right M-f Intermediate

Cancel ESC C-g Intermediate Next Screen PgDn C-v Intermediate Prev. Screen PgUp M-v Intermediate Start of Line Home C-a Intermediate End of Line End C-e Intermediate Start of text ^Home C-< Intermediate End of text ^End C-> Intermediate

Del prev char BkSpc DEL (is BkSpc) Advanced Del next char Delete C-d Advanced Del prev word ^BkSpc M-DEL (is M-BkSpc) Advanced Del next word ^Delete M-d Advanced Select text SHIFT+Arrow C-Space Advanced Del selection BkSpc/Del C-w Advanced

Quit ^Q C-x C-c Expert Paste (yanking) ^V C-y Expert Del Line ^D C-k Expert Undo ^Z C-/, C-_, C-x u Expert Open File ^O C-x C-f Expert Save File ^S C-x C-s Expert Find (Search) ^F C-s (forward search) Expert C-r (reverse search) Expert Help F1 C-h ? Expert

All GNU bindings and no DOS bindings Veteran =====================================================================

### Why should I use it?

If you are new to GNU system and find it hard to dive in head-first into the GNU keys and shortcuts for GNU programs (like emacs), this is the place to start. Use you well-known DOS-like shortcuts, in the same time learn how to use the GNU shortcuts.

### How to run it?

After installing the package, simply type:

    $ mino

on your console (or xterm) and it will run. If you want to load a file into mino:

    $ mino file-name

To reset the configuration file:

    $ mino --reset-config

To show command line help:

    $ mino [--help|-h]

### How does mino remember my preferences?

Mino stores its configuration in a file called ’.mino.conf’ under your home directory. You can edit it by hand (or using mino!), but this is not advisable. Use the Options menu under mino to change your preferences and mino will save them into the config file.

### What about sentence highlighting?

Currently mino recognizes the following file types:

- C/C++ Source and header files
- Perl scripts
- Shell scripts

Whenever you open a file of these types, mino will automatically adjust the colors of the view so that the language keywords, library functions, and operators (like +-*/ and so on) are highlighted each in a different color, on a black background, to ease writing your programs.

### What else?

There is one catch: when running under the X system, the program will not be able to capture all input from the keyboard, as X interferes with the keyboard input. Don’t panic, this is not much of a deal. Plus, there is a workaround. The only thing you will be missing is the SHIFT-select. That means you will not be able to hold down shift and use arrow keys to select text. The solution is using CTRL+E under X, which activates the select mode. Enter select mode, use arrow keys to size your selection, do whatever you want with it, and exit the select mode. You want a permanent solution? Run mino under the Linux console!.

And that’s it for intro!

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