Command Reference
txtshell is divided into three parts: statusbar, GUI/output and commandline. By giving these commands you can browse, read and select the textual information. Use TAB to switch to commandline or GUI. The blinking cursor shows the active location. Please take account of the statusbar hints and make use of the corresponding arrow keys. You can run a given command multiple times, each time with a different argument!
goto
Looks up one or more keywords in the txtkit database and lists all results if succesful. Results are sorted by relevance.
shortcut: g
read
Use read with sentence number for printing out sentences in detail.
shortcut: r
readp
Display complete paragraph: type readp plus sentence number. After highlighting one single sentence of the paragraph press "g" to start a phrase search.
shortcut: rp
select
Type select plus sentence number to retains the sentence and creates or adds it to your personal pool.
shortcut: s
pool
Lists all selected data. You can change sentence order with "+" or "-".
savepool
Type savepool plus filename to writes your pool into txtkit database. Your pool is now readable for other users and can be used as a reading path.
getpools
Lists all pools on the txtkit server. Highlight and press "enter" to load a single pool.
exportpool
Type exportpool plus filename to save your pool as printable textfile on your desktop.
exit
Type exit to end the session.
shortcut: e
Background
We decided to implement a commandline client for several reasons: It is clear that displaying text on a computer screen has a different status as in books, not only because of the visual presentation. One can manipulate text as data through several processes like parsing for example, which is the process of splitting up a continuous stream of characters. Furthermore dealing with computers means to refer to some other different languages or writing systems like programming languages or textual commands. In our view it is essential to mark the diverse use of symbols and letters as an ongoing shift of hopefully non-competing cultural concepts.
A commandline client provides some important properties: it doesn't easily remember a white sheet of paper, users interact through several commands and it offers simple but effective interface features.
Read more about the difference of "readerly" versus "writerly" user interfaces in Florian Cramers text: "Exe.cut[up]able statements: The Instistence of Code." (Download the PDF)
Related files:
Reference Cards
only in german
Printable Command Reference in german
Related files: