Hi! That is crash cource about ncurses-based xemacs's package installer: less -N xemacs-21.4.8/README.packages tells that: 179 180 (1) Choose a download site. 181 - via menu: Options -> Manages Packages -> Add Download Site 182 - via keyb: M-x customize-variable RET package-get-remote RET 183 (put in the details of remote host and directory) 184 Ok: M-x customize-variable RET package-get-remore RET => [no match] Hmm. guessing: M-x customize-variable RET pac TAB TAB M-x customize-variable RET packate-get-download-site RET in menubuffer: Symbol's function definition is void: nil and after that I have screen like that (ncurses only xemacs): --8<-- This is a customization buffer. Type RET or click button2 on an active field to invoke its action. Invoke [Help] for more information. Operate on everything in this buffer: [Set] [Save] [Reset] [Done] <> --8<-- enter over help-> ---8<-- Easy Customization Interface ---------------------------- A convenient way to find the user option variables that you want to change, and then change them, is with `M-x customize' (or use a keyboard shortcut, `C-h C'. This command creates a "customization buffer" with which you can browse through the Emacs user options in a logically organized structure, then edit and set their values. You can also use the customization buffer to save settings permanently. (Not all Emacs user options are included in this structure as of yet, but we are adding the rest.) * Menu: * Groups: Customization Groups. How options are classified in a structure. * Changing an Option:: How to edit a value and set an option. * Face Customization:: How to edit the attributes of a face. * Specific Customization:: Making a customization buffer for specific options, faces, or groups. --8<-- Ok, Now I know how to changes thing, but I have faintest idea what to input for that customization buffer... Hmm, what next: enter over set -> nothing enter over save -> saving (ok) enter over Reset -> Hmm, set standard option, ok (At that point you have no idea what this has been done, or set so far) type ftp:// etc for <>, wont work because: type f => f not defined. type ? => ? not defined What to do, what to.... reset to default, after that "done" M-x pui-list-packages (Hmm, it's seems to work!) <User is doing package selection here> and after that he/she hit x In menubuffer: No download sites or local package locations specified. Please forgive me, but this isn't really anykind ui! Worst problem: 1) There isn't package-get-remote variable 2) the package-get-download-sites, users wild guess sound reasonable, but the user (at least me) can not customize it because he dosn't not what to do (for ranking my xemacs ability, I have been using emacs and xemacs over five years). There should be somekind help for every custom page, or pointer: a) help for how to get help (this is ok at the current moment) b) help or pointer how to edit values (ok) c) help or pointer what to enter and what is the meaning of values 3) minor glitch: It would be nice if the help for package selection is the top of page, then new coming user will have warm fuzzy feeling: "I am safe with this buffer, I know what to do..." BR, Jani P.S. It would be nice if somebody have advice how to use package-interface from ncurses xemacs, I like it, and wouldn't like to use sumo.tar... P.P.S. How people will response if I rant about a little bit more about xemacs's ui? Has there been discussion about this before, and the end conclusion has been: This is [x]emacs way to do things, live with that? -- Jani Averbach