I am trying to install mod_layout on my server, I need to edit the file to do this, i figured out how to edit it but to save it, everywhere says press ctl+x but when I do that it doesn't save it brings up a bunch of options each of which I tried and none of which save the file. Mostly it seems like a bunch of find commands. I scoured the internet for an answer but have come up with none so far. Anyone know what I am talking about?

ctrl+x ?
Probably you are using nano...

Well, simply, once you have modified your file, press ctrl+x.
It will ask you if you want to save your file (look in the white bar at the bottom).

Save modified buffer (ANSWERING "No" WILL DESTROY CHANGES) ?
Y Yes
N No ^C Cancel

Simply press "y", and it will ask you under what name to save the file. By default, the current file name. Simply press enter, and you are done

File Name to Write: df.txt
^G Get Help
N No ^C Cancel

The ^ is the "control" key, fyi.

Unfortunatley I am not using nano. The server only has vi. and after control X it bring up ^E,^Y,^D,^L,etc. not neccesarily in that order. and control Y after the control X doesn't seem to save. Any other sugggestions? Or am I just doing something horribly wrong?

Ok, much easier for me then.

In Vi, you start in command mode.
Put your cursor where you want to do the edit, and press "i" to get into edit mode.
Make your changes, and press "esc" to get back in command mode.

Do every changes you want, and when you are done, get in command mode and do:

:w [enter]

to save your file, and

:q [enter]

to quit vi.



A quick reference commands (always to type in command mode, and case sensitive):

17G [enter] => go to the line nbr 17
/any [enter] => search for the word "any"
:u [enter] => undo
dd [enter] => delete the line under the cursor
G [enter] => goes to the last line of the file

Oh vi! For my entire first year at university we were only given access to vi... our lecturer's theory was that if you can use vi, you can use anything and if there's only going to be one editor somewhere, that will be it.

I hated him for making us use that... for about 2 weeks then it was very hard to get me off it

Helpful hint for Mac users that I figured out finally.
ESC does not end instert but ^S does.
Thanks for everone's help I go it squared away now