To create a text file by using the nano UNIX command,
simply type nano at the command line. At the bottom of the screen is a
menu of common commands. Above the menu is a large, empty space where
you can enter text, much the same as in the word processors that you
already know and love.
This is the rough-and-tumble world of UNIX, which preceded
the Macintosh by many years. Perhaps this will also help you to
appreciate why the Macintosh was so revolutionary when it was
introduced.
Type some text in that area. Anything will do . . . a letter to a friend, a grocery list, or your school homework.
When you’re finished entering your desired text, save the
document with the WriteOut command in the nano menu. Directly next to
each command in the nano menu is a keyboard sequence used to perform
that command.
To save a file, press Control+O. This flies in the face of
standard Mac keyboard conventions, where the letter O is traditionally
used to mean Open.
After pressing the Control+O sequence, pico prompts you for
a filename. Like most UNIX files, you’re permitted to enter a simple
filename here or a full path to a file. For this example, save the file
to your Documents folder, naming it MyNanoDocument.
After you’ve completed and saved the document, pressing
Control+X will transport you away from Planet Nano and back to the
command line.