Editing with VI and SuSE
 

Hello,
I just installed SuSE 8.2, and I need to use an editor. I like VI because I can use it at work on my machine at home, but whenever I use VI now, I cannot edit anything that was already in the file. Say I have a file that has text in it. If I use VI from home or work, I cannot delete or change anything that was already in the file, I can add new text, then edit the new text, as long as I don't close VI. Any ideas?

Are you asking how to save? I think the command is just 'w'.

No, I literally cannot change text within the file. Say I have "#include <iostream.h>" and I want to change the library to just "<iostream>" I cannot delete the .h portion. I can put my cursor there, but the backspace button will do nothing (I am in insert mode).

Sometimes I get that problem in an xterm window. Doesn't happen on a regular console.

Hmm from the looks of it you are trying to modify a file you do not have permission to modify. I am sorry if I am wrong. Try to su to root and edit the file. Else go ahead and chmod the file and try to edit it

Try using x instead of the backspace key. (in control mode) Some Unix systems won't let you erase anything you didn't just type with the backspace key in insert mode...