Linux: Make ^H delete previous character in chat input field

[erikw]

As we all know, pressing CTRL+H should delete the previous character in input fields. Why? Because it's standard behavior, and it's the fasted way to erase typing mistakes without leaving the main rows on the keyboard.

If we can save some work for the right pinky finger reaching out for that far-away Backspace button on the other end of the keyboard -- let's do it!
... and we can all type faster with less spelling errors =).

I'm using:
Signal: 1.13.0
OS: Arch Linux

[scottnonnenberg-signal]

Does this work in the chrome browser on Linux? What other GUI apps on Linux support this? (for sure anything on the command line, or a curses app supports it)

[erikw]

Try it in for example

• any native macOS app
• https://www.messenger.com/
• gvim
• https://github.com/Enrico204/Whatsapp-Desktop/

:)

[scottnonnenberg-signal]

Why are you comparing it to macOS native behavior? If GUI apps on Linux don't support it, wouldn't we want it to be consistent with the standard approach on Linux?

[scottnonnenberg-signal]

Also, that last WhatsApp Desktop link goes to an empty/dead project.

[erikw]

You have clearly don't use this feature yourself, or are you open to the idea that other people might do it. So with this mindset, it's no idea to waste time arguing in angry tones.

Let's end the discussion here, and leave this issue open for others to pitch in. :)

[scottnonnenberg-signal]

There's no angry tones here, I'm sorry my previous comments suggested that. I do want to continue the conversation. Much of what drives design in this app is an attempt to be consistent with other apps on the target platform. That's why I asked the question about Linux apps in particular.

[chiraag-nataraj]

To add to the conversation, the following programs map ^H to backspace in Debian sid/experimental:

• firefox
• rxvt-unicode
• signal-desktop(!)

Yes, for me, ^H works perfectly fine in signal-desktop. I don't have many graphical programs, but it seems that most that subscribe to regular bindings implement ^H (exceptions being emacs (obviously) and Viber (because Qt or something...?)). Oh, and I'm using signal-desktop version 1.13.0 (from the updates.signal.org apt repository).

[chiraag-nataraj]

@erikw What desktop environment are you using? I'm confused because Signal seems to accept ^H just fine on my end.

[erikw]

@chiraag-nataraj I'm not using a full-blown desktop environment. Just X1 with DWM on top as a window manager.

Interesting. What DE are you using? ::

[chiraag-nataraj]

@erikw I'm using AwesomeWM, so not a full-blown DE either.