Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about The Modernization of Emacs. They are slightly lengthy, so i've separated each item per post. The whole article can be found at
http://xahlee.org/emacs/modernization.html ------------ Q: The Terminology “buffer” and “keybinding” is good as they are. A: The terminology “buffer” or “keybinding”, are technical terms having to do with software programing. The term “keybinding” refers to the association of a keystroke with a command in a technical, software application programing context. That is to say, a programer “bind” a keystroke to a command in a software application. The term “buffer” refers to a abstract, temporary area for storing data, in the context of programing or computer science. These terms are irrelevant to the users of a software application. As a user of a text editor, he works with files. The terms “opened file” or “untitled file” are more appropriate than “buffer”. Since emacs is also used for many things beside reading files or writing to files, for example, file management, ftp/sftp, shell, email, irc etc., the proper term can be “panel”, “window”, or “work area”. And, the term “keyboard shortcut” refers to typing of a key- combination to activate a command. It is also more appropriate than “binding” or “keybinding”. Although concepts like “buffer” and “keybinding” are seemingly interchangeable with “panel” or “keyboard shortcut”, but their contexts set them apart. This is why in all modern software application's user documentations, terms like “buffer” or “keybinding” are not to be seen but “windows, panes, and keyboard shortcuts”. The reason emacs uses the technical terminologies throughout is because when emacs started in the 1970s, there really isn't any other text editors or even software applications. And, Emacs users consists of solely computer scientists and programers, and there are not many. Changes in society are always resisted by old timers, but it is also a main element behind progress. This terminology issue may seem trivial, but its importance lies in making emacs palpable to the vast number of people who ever need to use a computer to write. Xah [EMAIL PROTECTED] ∑ http://xahlee.org/ -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
