Re: [PATCH] Change <delete> to delete forward in the editor menu.

> Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2026 08:40:25 -0300
> From: Jim via Mutt-dev <[email protected]>

> Way back when, before the pestilence known as Microsoft spread throughout
> the world, the delete key deleted backwards, as it should.

First, donʼt blame Microsoft; this was IBM who pushed its style of
keyboard after XT/AT and AT-101 ones to standard, including such
previously impossible thing as Selectric placement of non-alphanumeric
keys. Microsoft was not strong enough yet in mis-1980s to make this.

Second, as soon as we have standards (at least ANSI and ISO) which
declare that the key up to Enter that deletes the character before the
cursor is called "Backspace", and mutt follows this naming, we hardly
can spit into the wind. (I also like idea of seven modifiers in Space
Cadet, but shall fit into the existing Procrustean bed.

So any variant but <delete> -> delete-forward will entail a constant
repinement and regular rebellions to fit it into the least
astonishment.

> Perhaps delete has been set to delete backwards because that is how people
> not used to the M$ world had been using it forever?

If your backspace key is called "Delete", Iʼm curious what you have
for common "Delete". Anyway, it is too late to revolt it back.


-netch-