ws-mode howto

[RonB]

Hi,

Completely new to emacs. I'm trying it (and liking it) because of
fountain-mode (for screenplay writing). Since this was in my Linux Mint
repository it was easy to install — and, even though I don't fully
understand what I've done, it works (except for exporting, which I'm
guessing requires more packages, but it's not a major concern for me).

Now I see there is/was a WordStar mode (ws-mode.el) which I would love to
get working. I've been using Jstar for years because it emulates the
WordStar keystrokes I learned in the late 80s, early 90s. Ultimately I would
like to patch the ws-mode to make it a minor mode so it could work with
fountain-mode (which is a major mode package). But first things first, first
I would just like to get ws-mode to work. (I don't even really fully
understand "major-mode" or "minor-mode.")

I've copied and pasted ws-mode.el into a file and used "m-x load-file," but
I keep getting a "no-match" error. Obviously my ignorance is the issue, but
a quick pointer would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Javier]

Post by RonB
Now I see there is/was a WordStar mode (ws-mode.el) which I would love to
get working. I've been using Jstar for years because it emulates the
WordStar keystrokes I learned in the late 80s, early 90s. Ultimately I would
like to patch the ws-mode to make it a minor mode so it could work with
fountain-mode (which is a major mode package). But first things first, first
I would just like to get ws-mode to work. (I don't even really fully
understand "major-mode" or "minor-mode.")
I've copied and pasted ws-mode.el into a file and used "m-x load-file," but
I keep getting a "no-match" error. Obviously my ignorance is the issue, but
a quick pointer would be appreciated. Thank you.

I don't know why it is marked as obsolete. This should work
Replace 26.2 by your version number and do:

M-: (load-file "/usr/local/share/emacs/26.2/lisp/obsolete/ws-mode.el.gz")

M-x wordstar-mode

[RonB]

Post by Javier

Post by RonB
Now I see there is/was a WordStar mode (ws-mode.el) which I would love to
get working. I've been using Jstar for years because it emulates the
WordStar keystrokes I learned in the late 80s, early 90s. Ultimately I would
like to patch the ws-mode to make it a minor mode so it could work with
fountain-mode (which is a major mode package). But first things first, first
I would just like to get ws-mode to work. (I don't even really fully
understand "major-mode" or "minor-mode.")
I've copied and pasted ws-mode.el into a file and used "m-x load-file," but
I keep getting a "no-match" error. Obviously my ignorance is the issue, but
a quick pointer would be appreciated. Thank you.

I don't know why it is marked as obsolete. This should work
M-: (load-file "/usr/local/share/emacs/26.2/lisp/obsolete/ws-mode.el.gz")
M-x wordstar-mode

The problem was my ignorance. I didn't know how to activate wordstar-mode. I
may have inadvertently tried typing "ws-mode" but definitely not
"wordstar-mode." Works great now. Thanks!

Now, down the line when (hopefully) I've learned a little something, I'll
try using the patch that's supposed to change wordstar-mode into a minor
mode so I can use it in conjunction with fountain-mode (which is major). But
I definitely need to learn a little before trying that.

Again, thank you.

[Javier]

Post by RonB
Now, down the line when (hopefully) I've learned a little something, I'll
try using the patch that's supposed to change wordstar-mode into a minor
mode so I can use it in conjunction with fountain-mode (which is major). But
I definitely need to learn a little before trying that.

Never tried, but I think it has been done already. Have a look at these links.

[PATCH] change wordstar-mode into a minor mode
https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/emacs-devel/2017-02/msg00467.html

https://github.com/dfr62/wormstar

[RonB]

Post by Javier

Post by RonB
Now, down the line when (hopefully) I've learned a little something, I'll
try using the patch that's supposed to change wordstar-mode into a minor
mode so I can use it in conjunction with fountain-mode (which is major). But
I definitely need to learn a little before trying that.

Never tried, but I think it has been done already. Have a look at these links.
[PATCH] change wordstar-mode into a minor mode
https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/emacs-devel/2017-02/msg00467.html
https://github.com/dfr62/wormstar

Thanks. I've saved the links. (And I'll check them out now.)