CompuServe Messages

Brian, You are basically correct. DEL should (and does) erase characters. However, that is not CIS' norm. CIS likes BS, and uses it to not only erase the data, but to erase the character on a screen by echoing backspace-space-backspace when it sees one. Some programs (e.g. HOST) will transmit BS when you press the "delete" key, making CIS appear to be doing the right thing when (arguably) it isn't. I agree completely with you that CIS' use of BS for this purpose is undesirable, but evidently you and I are that small minority of people who believe in using standards the wayy they're defined, rather than redefining them. <sigh> -Bill