On Tue, 20 May 2003 21:55:04 -0500
Bob Booth - UIUC <booth AT UIUC DOT EDU> wrote:

> For the person that was having the problem with the backspace key not
> working for the command line client, using XFree and xterm...
>
> Create (or append to) a .Xdefaults with the following line:
>
> XTerm*backarrowKeyIsErase: false
>
> You can run xrdb .Xdefaults, or restart your X server.  Any new xterm will
> perform the way you want it to.
>
> It will also work by holding down the ctrl key and the left button on the
> mouse, and checking  'Backarrow Key (BS/DEL)', but of course, only for that
> xterm.
>
> I happen to be running Mandrake Linux, but the patch level of xterm I have
> currently is 177-6.
>
> Let me know if you need clarification or more information.
>
> bob

Bob,

this is indeed the solution for xterm on debian. I couldn't get xterm on 
Mandrake to bahave sanely using the exact same setting, I'm running Mandrake 9. 
Fortunately Gnome Terminal does have some compatibility setting hidden 
somewhere that has about the same effect...

Thanks everybody for their help!

--

Remco