From xemacs-m  Sun Dec 22 23:44:30 1996
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Date: Sun, 22 Dec 1996 21:45:49 -0800
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From: Bob Weiner <weiner@wave.infodock.com>
To: xemacs-beta@xemacs.org
In-reply-to: <m2zpz83008.fsf@altair.xemacs.org> (message from Steven L Baur on
	20 Dec 1996 22:05:43 -0800)
Subject: Re: start up buffer (was Re: 19.15 b4)

> I'm content in the short term to have the first buffer displayed come
> up in text mode.

I'll vote against this.  There seems to be agreement that having
*scratch* in Lisp interaction mode is good for some users, and that
the ones if may not be good for are novices.

One scenario in which novices are aided by this setup is when they
call for help and are asked by a support person to type things into
the *scratch* buffer and then hit {C-j}, as a means of understanding
the current settings in their environment.  This could certainly be
achieved in other buffers by using {C-u C-x C-e}, but that is much
harder and slower to type.

I've also never personally heard a user complain about an inability to
begin typing text right after they start the editor.  Few computer
users today remain unfamiliar with the concept of files; most know
that they are going to have to select a filename to save text away
permanently.  And if all they want is to type some throwaway text then
they can still do that in the *scratch* buffer (or they can later save
its contents).

Bob

