debcrafters-packages team mailing list archive

[Thanabodin Wongjinda <2117462@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Public bug reported:

Currently, GNU nano 7.2 on Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS requires users to press
Alt+M (Meta+M) to enable mouse mode for text selection. This introduces
several usability challenges and accessibility barriers, especially for
users who operate with one hand, find keyboard shortcuts difficult, or
prefer a more streamlined mouse-centric workflow.

Current Limitations in GNU nano 7.2 (and earlier versions):

Requirement for Mouse Mode (Alt+M): Text selection and copying with the
mouse are only possible when mouse mode is activated. This means users
must constantly switch modes, interrupting their workflow.

Lack of Continuous Scrolling during Selection: When attempting to select
text by dragging the mouse, the selection stops at the current screen
boundary. Users must manually scroll down to continue selecting text
beyond what is visible, which is cumbersome and time-consuming for large
files.

No Direct Copy Functionality: Even in mouse mode, there isn't an
immediate option to copy selected text without further keyboard input or
specific context menu.

Proposed Features for nano and Ubuntu:

I propose the following enhancements to significantly improve the user
experience and accessibility of GNU nano:

"Always-on Mouse Selection" Mode (Default or Configurable Option):

Allow users to drag and select text with the mouse immediately, without
the need to press Alt+M beforehand. This would make mouse selection
behave more like standard graphical text editors.

Crucially, when dragging the mouse to select text, the editor should
automatically scroll down (or up) the file when the cursor reaches the
top or bottom of the visible screen, enabling continuous selection
across multiple screenfuls of text until the mouse button is released.
This addresses the current pain point of selections stopping at screen
boundaries.

"Copy on Drag-and-Select" Functionality (or Context Menu Option):

Upon releasing the mouse button after selecting text, there should be an
option to copy the selected text directly. This could be implemented as:

An automatic copy to the clipboard.

A right-click context menu appearing after selection, offering a "Copy"
option (and potentially "Paste" or "Cut").

Benefits of these Enhancements:

Improved Accessibility: Greatly benefits users who operate with one
hand, have motor difficulties, or find keyboard shortcuts cumbersome.

Enhanced Efficiency: Eliminates the need for constant mode switching and
manual scrolling during selection, making text manipulation faster and
more intuitive.

Modern User Experience: Aligns nano's mouse behavior with expectations
from modern text editors, making it more approachable for new users.

Streamlined Workflow: Allows for seamless selection and copying,
reducing interruptions and increasing productivity, especially when
dealing with large code files or logs.

Environment:

GNU nano version: 7.2

Ubuntu version: 24.04.1 LTS

This feature request aims to make GNU nano a more versatile and user-
friendly editor for a wider range of users by leveraging mouse
capabilities more effectively.

** Affects: nano (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New

-- 
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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2117462

Title:
  Feature Request: Enhance mouse selection in GNU nano for continuous
  scrolling and direct copy without Alt+M

Status in nano package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  Currently, GNU nano 7.2 on Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS requires users to press
  Alt+M (Meta+M) to enable mouse mode for text selection. This
  introduces several usability challenges and accessibility barriers,
  especially for users who operate with one hand, find keyboard
  shortcuts difficult, or prefer a more streamlined mouse-centric
  workflow.

  Current Limitations in GNU nano 7.2 (and earlier versions):

  Requirement for Mouse Mode (Alt+M): Text selection and copying with
  the mouse are only possible when mouse mode is activated. This means
  users must constantly switch modes, interrupting their workflow.

  Lack of Continuous Scrolling during Selection: When attempting to
  select text by dragging the mouse, the selection stops at the current
  screen boundary. Users must manually scroll down to continue selecting
  text beyond what is visible, which is cumbersome and time-consuming
  for large files.

  No Direct Copy Functionality: Even in mouse mode, there isn't an
  immediate option to copy selected text without further keyboard input
  or specific context menu.

  Proposed Features for nano and Ubuntu:

  I propose the following enhancements to significantly improve the user
  experience and accessibility of GNU nano:

  "Always-on Mouse Selection" Mode (Default or Configurable Option):

  Allow users to drag and select text with the mouse immediately,
  without the need to press Alt+M beforehand. This would make mouse
  selection behave more like standard graphical text editors.

  Crucially, when dragging the mouse to select text, the editor should
  automatically scroll down (or up) the file when the cursor reaches the
  top or bottom of the visible screen, enabling continuous selection
  across multiple screenfuls of text until the mouse button is released.
  This addresses the current pain point of selections stopping at screen
  boundaries.

  "Copy on Drag-and-Select" Functionality (or Context Menu Option):

  Upon releasing the mouse button after selecting text, there should be
  an option to copy the selected text directly. This could be
  implemented as:

  An automatic copy to the clipboard.

  A right-click context menu appearing after selection, offering a
  "Copy" option (and potentially "Paste" or "Cut").

  Benefits of these Enhancements:

  Improved Accessibility: Greatly benefits users who operate with one
  hand, have motor difficulties, or find keyboard shortcuts cumbersome.

  Enhanced Efficiency: Eliminates the need for constant mode switching
  and manual scrolling during selection, making text manipulation faster
  and more intuitive.

  Modern User Experience: Aligns nano's mouse behavior with expectations
  from modern text editors, making it more approachable for new users.

  Streamlined Workflow: Allows for seamless selection and copying,
  reducing interruptions and increasing productivity, especially when
  dealing with large code files or logs.

  Environment:

  GNU nano version: 7.2

  Ubuntu version: 24.04.1 LTS

  This feature request aims to make GNU nano a more versatile and user-
  friendly editor for a wider range of users by leveraging mouse
  capabilities more effectively.

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