Hello,
I often need to copy some text line from the command line in an text editor (emacs or nano). If I am using the terminal in a Gui, there aren't problems because i simply highlight the text and copy it, but how can I copy the text without using the mouse for example from a text only system ?

Thanks and sorry for my poor English, Francesco

One possible alternative is to use "script"

Have a look at gpm.

I've tried the command script, it's really useful ! Thanks
About gpm can you tell me how to start using it ?

Thanks

gpm is a daemon. It is loaded at startup. However, your distro might or might not be configured to run it by default. You will have to check your distro documentation to see how to add/remove services at startup. It really depends on the distro you use.

gpm enables the usage of the mouse in console, that way, you can select text like if you were on a terminal emulator. Then, to paste it, use the middle click button.


Yet another alternative is to use GNU screen, which besides the capability to do what you want, also adds lots of other interesting features. It's not a simple thing to learn, but it definitely worths the trouble.

Or use a shell with the option to copy - like PowerShell or Gnome Terminal.

Gentoo

try ctrl+insert to copy shift+insert to paste

thease are the origianal unix copy and paste shortcuts because of couse ctrl+c genrally aborts somthing...

Thank you everybody
I have learnt lots of things from your answers
Now i have resolved my problem with GPM, it is included in the repository of my distribution (Ubuntu).

Bye, Francesco

If you are using Ubuntu gpm is not loaded automatically.

That's it.

Step 1
less <file_name> (this displays the content of the file on screen)
Step 2
copy paste the content using mouse (drag and select the text content you want)
Step 3
Shift+Insert into the window of your choice (this pastes the content you have copied in Step 1 into the window in focus)

Debian Kernel

The OP did specify "without using the mouse " ...

Yep. But really, sometimes, "no" means "yes"

Jokes apart, by the tone of the first post, I understood that he was assuming that "text only system" implied "no mouse".

During the thread, several ways of achieving the desired purpose have been exposed and explained, and he already seem to have chosen the gpm based solution (mouse). The rest of solutions are valid of course. And each one can choose whatever fits him best.

oopssie ... missed out the mouse part ... my bad!!!

In fact, at the beginning I'd copy the text, without using the mouse in a text only system.
But after, from the answers I hadn't found a directly solution to the problem, so I resolved that use GPM is a great alternative.
Anyhow if someone tell me how to select and copy text in a text only system without using the mouse (really ), I will be very thankful to him.

I am a keyboard guy myself, but that statement comes from the assumption that mouse=graphics, which is not true.


Many valid alternatives have been declared in this thread. Mine is GNU screen, which has many many good features, besides copying text and pasting it. Google "GNU screen scrollback mode"

http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-...crollback+mode