[net.emacs] VT100's and the AM capability

guy (03/17/83)

References: sri-arpa.614

The VT100's autowrap mode was probably designed to permit you to put a
character in row 24, column 80 without scrolling the screen.  (Some
unpleasant terminals will not let you do this.)  However, it also means
that programs that position the cursor by dead reckoning have to compensate
for this oddity; termcap does not have a "wierd automargining" capability,
and AM implies normal automargining.  We have found that the best way to deal
with it is to turn automargining OFF and specify NO AM capability.

A note to terminal manufacturers; PLEASE provide a mechanism for turning
automargining off.  Full-screen programs frequently could care less about
automargining, but WOULD like to put characters in row 24, column 80...

					Guy Harris
					RLG Corporation
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