diff --git a/buffer/__init__.py b/buffer/__init__.py
index 417f2d0..d8d7d1a 100644
--- a/buffer/__init__.py
+++ b/buffer/__init__.py
@@ -290,6 +290,14 @@ class Buffer(object):
         lines = data.split('\n')
         self.set_lines(lines, force)
 
+    # append into buffer
+    def append_lines(self, lines, act=ACT_NORM, force=False):
+        p = self.get_buffer_end()
+        self.insert_lines(p, lines, act, force)
+    def append_string(self, s, act=ACT_NORM, force=False):
+        lines = s.split("\n")
+        self.insert_lines(lines, act, force)
+
     # insertion into buffer
     def insert_lines(self, p, lines, act=ACT_NORM, force=False):
         llen = len(lines)
@@ -355,6 +363,48 @@ class Buffer(object):
             # should not happen
             raise Exception, "iiiijjjj"
 
+    # generic window functionality
+    def forward(self, p):
+        if p.x < len(self.lines[p.y]):
+            return Point(p.x + 1, p.y)
+        elif p.y < len(self.lines) - 1:
+            return Point(0, p.y + 1)
+        else:
+            return p
+    def backward(self, p):
+        if p.x > 0:
+            return Point(p.x - 1, p.y)
+        elif p.y > 0:
+            x = len(self.lines[p.y - 1])
+            return Point(x, p.y - 1)
+        else:
+            return p
+    def end_of_line(self, p):
+        return Point(len(self.lines[p.y]), p.y)
+    def start_of_line(self, p):
+        return Point(0, p.y)
+    def previous_line(self, p):
+        if p.y > 0:
+            return Point(p.x, p.y - 1)
+        else:
+            return p
+    def next_line(self, p):
+        if p.y < len(self.lines) - 1:
+            return Point(p.x, p.y + 1)
+        else:
+            return p
+    def left_delete(self, p):
+        (x, y) = p.xy()
+        if x > 0:
+            self.delete_char(Point(x - 1, y))
+        elif y > 0:
+            x = len(self.lines[y - 1])
+            self.delete_char(Point(x, y - 1))
+    def right_delete(self, p):
+        if (p.y < len(self.lines) - 1 or
+            p.x < len(self.lines[-1])):
+            self.delete_char(p)
+
 class InterpreterPipeError(Exception):
     pass
 
diff --git a/buffer/emul.py b/buffer/emul.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c200f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/buffer/emul.py
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+import fcntl, os, select, pty, threading
+
+from buffer import Buffer, ACT_NORM, ACT_NONE
+from term import XTerm
+from point import Point
+
+# evil evil evil evil evil
+class XTermBuffer(Buffer, XTerm):
+    btype    = 'term'
+    modename = 'pipe'
+    def __init__(self, cmd, args, name=None):
+        XTerm.__init__(self)
+        Buffer.__init__(self)
+        self._name = name or '*XTerm*'
+        self._pid, self._pty = pty.fork()
+        if self._pid == 0:
+            # child process
+            os.execve(cmd, [cmd] + args, {'TERM': 'xterm'})
+
+        self._lock    = threading.Lock()
+        self._towrite = ''
+        self._done    = False
+        self._set_nonblock(self._pty)
+        self._thread = threading.Thread(target=self.pipe_read)
+        self._thread.setDaemon(True)
+        self._thread.start()
+
+
+    def _w(self):
+        return self.windows[0]
+    def _get_height(self):
+        return self._w().height
+    def _get_width(self):
+        return self._w().width
+    # TERM STUFF
+    def _term_insert(self, s):
+        w = self._w()
+        p = w.logical_cursor()
+        if p.x == len(self.lines[p.y]):
+            w.buffer.insert_string(p, s, act=ACT_NONE, force=True)
+        else:
+            w.buffer.overwrite_char(p, s, act=ACT_NONE, force=True)
+    def term_do_clear(self):
+        self.set_lines([''], force=True)
+        self._meta = []
+    def term_do_backspace(self):
+        self._w().backward()
+    def term_do_tab(self):
+        self._term_insert('    ')
+    def term_do_newline(self):
+        w = self._w()
+        p = w.logical_cursor()
+        if p.y < len(self.lines) - 1:
+            w.start_of_line()
+            w.next_line()
+        else:
+            w.end_of_line()
+            w.buffer.insert_string(w.logical_cursor(), "\n", act=ACT_NONE, force=True)
+    def term_do_creturn(self):
+        self._w().start_of_line()
+    def term_do_delete(self):
+        self._w().delete_right()
+    def term_handle_print(self, c):
+        #self._term_insert('%d ' % ord(c))
+        self._term_insert(c)
+    def term_handle_ctl(self, c):
+        n = ord(c)
+        if n == 8:
+            self.term_do_backspace()
+        elif n == 9:
+            self.term_do_tab()
+        elif n == 10:
+            self.term_do_newline()
+        elif n == 13:
+            self.term_do_creturn()
+        elif n == 27:
+            self.term_do_esc(c)
+        elif n == 127:
+            self.term_do_delete()
+        else:
+            self._term_insert('%x' % n)
+
+    def term_receive(self, s):
+        for c in s:
+            self.term_handle(c)
+
+    # BUFFER STUFF
+    def _set_nonblock(self, fd):
+        flags = fcntl.fcntl(fd, fcntl.F_GETFL)
+        fcntl.fcntl(fd, fcntl.F_SETFL, flags | os.O_NDELAY)
+
+    def pipe_read(self):
+        fd = self._pty
+        try:
+            while not self._done:
+                if self._towrite:
+                    ifd, ofd, efd = select.select([fd], [fd], [fd], 0.1)
+                else:
+                    ifd, ofd, efd = select.select([fd], [], [fd], 0.1)
+                if ifd:
+                    data = os.read(ifd[0], 1024)
+                    self.term_receive(data)
+                if ofd:
+                    self._lock.acquire()
+                    n = os.write(ofd[0], self._towrite)
+                    self._towrite = self._towrite[n:]
+                    self._lock.release()
+                if efd:
+                    raise Exception, "exception is ready: %s" % repr(efd)
+        except (OSError, TypeError):
+            pass
+        os.close(fd)
+
+    def pipe_write(self, s):
+        self._lock.acquire()
+        self._towrite += s
+        self._lock.release()
+
+    def name(self): return self._name
+    def changed(self): return False
+    def readonly(self): return True
+    def undo(self, move, act): raise Exception, "invalid"
+    def redo(self, move, act): raise Exception, "invalid"
+    def reload(self): raise Exception, "invalid"
diff --git a/buffer/pipe.py b/buffer/pipe.py
index f8bca59..512a4ef 100644
--- a/buffer/pipe.py
+++ b/buffer/pipe.py
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class PipeBuffer(Buffer):
                 if ifd:
                     data = os.read(ifd[0], 1024)
                     end = self.get_buffer_end()
-                    data = self.term.filter(data)
+                    data = self.term.term_filter(data)
                     self.insert_string(end, data, force=True, act=ACT_NONE)
                 if ofd:
                     self._lock.acquire()
diff --git a/method/shell.py b/method/shell.py
index eb2cabc..09ddedb 100644
--- a/method/shell.py
+++ b/method/shell.py
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class Man(Exec):
             errmsg = "man: ok"
         if output:
             xterm = term.XTerm()
-            output = xterm.filter(output)
+            output = xterm.term_filter(output)
             switch_to = err or self.show_success
             w.application.data_buffer('*Manpage*', output, switch_to=switch_to)
         w.set_error(errmsg)
diff --git a/mode/shellmini.py b/mode/shellmini.py
index 3a84553..1eb1eeb 100644
--- a/mode/shellmini.py
+++ b/mode/shellmini.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import code, os, re, string, StringIO, sys, traceback
-import buffer, buffer.pipe
+import buffer, buffer.pipe, buffer.emul
 import color, completer, lex, method, mode, window
 from lex import Grammar, PatternRule, RegionRule
 from point import Point
@@ -122,7 +122,8 @@ class OpenShell(Method):
     def execute(self, w, **vargs):
         a = w.application
         if not a.has_buffer_name('*Shell*'):
-            b = buffer.pipe.PipeBuffer('/bin/bash', [], name="*Shell*", term='xterm')
+            #b = buffer.pipe.PipeBuffer('/bin/bash', [], name="*Shell*", term='xterm')
+            b = buffer.emul.XTermBuffer('/bin/bash', [], name="*Shell*")
             a.add_buffer(b)
             window.Window(b, a)
         b = a.bufferlist.get_buffer_by_name('*Shell*')
diff --git a/term.py b/term.py
index 61c9f48..def53cf 100644
--- a/term.py
+++ b/term.py
@@ -1,6 +1,15 @@
+import os, re, string
+from point import Point
+
+def show(c):
+    if c in string.printable:
+        return c
+    else:
+        return '\\%03o' % ord(c)
+
 class Dumb:
     name = 'dumb'
-    def insert(self, s):
+    def _term_insert(self, s):
         assert self.i <= len(self.outc)
         if self.i == len(self.outc):
             self.outc.append(s)
@@ -8,116 +17,134 @@ class Dumb:
             self.outc[self.i] = s
         self.i += 1
 
-    def do_backspace(self):
+    def term_do_clear(self):
+        self.outs = ''
+        self.i    = 0
+        self.outc = []
+    def term_do_backspace(self):
         self.i = max(0, self.i - 1)
-    def do_tab(self):
-        self.insert('    ')
-    def do_newline(self):
+    def term_do_tab(self):
+        self._term_insert('    ')
+    def term_do_newline(self):
         self.outs += ''.join(self.outc) + '\n'
         self.i    = 0
         self.outc = []
-    def do_careturn(self):
+    def term_do_creturn(self):
         self.i = 0
-    def do_esc(self, c):
+    def term_do_esc(self, c):
         pass
-    def do_delete(self):
+    def term_do_delete(self):
         if self.i < len(self.outc):
             del self.outc[self.i]
 
-    def handle_ctl(self, c):
+    def term_handle_ctl(self, c):
         n = ord(c)
         if n == 8:
-            self.do_backspace()
+            self.term_do_backspace()
         elif n == 9:
-            self.do_tab()
+            self.term_do_tab()
         elif n == 10:
-            self.do_newline()
+            self.term_do_newline()
+        elif n == 12:
+            self.term_do_clear()
         elif n == 13:
-            self.do_careturn()
+            self.term_do_creturn()
         elif n == 27:
-            self.do_esc(c)
+            self.term_do_esc(c)
         elif n == 127:
-            self.do_delete()
-    def handle_print(self, c):
-        self.insert(c)
-    def handle_8bit(self, c):
+            self.term_do_delete()
+    def term_handle_print(self, c):
+        self._term_insert(c)
+    def term_handle_8bit(self, c):
         pass
 
-    def handle(self, c):
+    def term_handle(self, c):
         n = ord(c)
         assert n >= 0 and n < 256
         if n <= 27 or n == 127:
-            self.handle_ctl(c)
+            self.term_handle_ctl(c)
         elif n < 127:
-            self.handle_print(c)
+            self.term_handle_print(c)
         else:
-            self.handle_8bit(c)
+            self.term_handle_8bit(c)
+    def term_receive(self, s):
+        for c in s:
+            self.term_handle(c)
 
-    def filter(self, s):
+    def term_filter(self, s):
         self.i    = 0
         self.outc = []
         self.outs = ""
-        for c in s:
-            self.handle(c)
+        self.term_receive(s)
         return self.outs + ''.join(self.outc)
 
 class XTerm(Dumb):
     name = 'xterm'
-    ansi_colors = {
-        '\033[30m':   '[B:d]',
-        '\033[30;0m': '[B:d]',
-        '\033[30;1m': '[B:d:*]',
-        '\033[31m':   '[r:d]',
-        '\033[31;0m': '[r:d]',
-        '\033[31;1m': '[r:d:*]',
-        '\033[32m':   '[g:d]',
-        '\033[32;0m': '[g:d]',
-        '\033[32;1m': '[g:d:*]',
-        '\033[33m':   '[y:d]',
-        '\033[33;0m': '[y:d]',
-        '\033[33;1m': '[y:d:*]',
-        '\033[34m':   '[b:d]',
-        '\033[34;0m': '[b:d]',
-        '\033[34;1m': '[b:d:*]',
-        '\033[35m':   '[m:d]',
-        '\033[35;0m': '[m:d]',
-        '\033[35;1m': '[m:d:*]',
-        '\033[36m':   '[c:d]',
-        '\033[36;0m': '[c:d]',
-        '\033[36;1m': '[c:d:*]',
-        '\033[37m':   '[w:d]',
-        '\033[37;0m': '[w:d]',
-        '\033[37;1m': '[w:d:*]',
-        '\033[39m':   '[d:d]',
-        '\033[39;0m': '[d:d]',
-        '\033[39;1m': '[d:d:*]',
+
+    comment_re = re.compile('^ *#')
+    header_re  = re.compile('^[a-zA-Z0-9]+\|')
+
+    bool_re = re.compile('^([a-zA-Z0-9]+)$')
+    num_re  = re.compile('^([a-zA-Z0-9]+)#(.+)$')
+    str_re  = re.compile('^([a-zA-Z0-9]+)=(.+)$')
+
+    style_re = re.compile('^\033[[0-9;]+m')
+
+    callbacks = {
+        'clear': 'term_do_clear',
+        'home':  'term_do_creturn',
     }
-    def filter(self, s):
-        self.meta = []
-        return Dumb.filter(self, s)
-
-    def do_esc(self, c):
-        self.meta.append(c)
-
-    def handle(self, c):
-        if self.meta:
-            self.meta.append(c)
-            if c == 'm':
-                s = ''.join(self.meta)
-                if s in self.ansi_colors:
-                    #self.insert(self.ansi_colors[s])
-                    pass
-                self.meta = []
-        else:
-            Dumb.handle(self, c)
-
-class Auto(Dumb):
-    name = 'auto'
     def __init__(self):
-        try:
-            curses.setupterm()
-        except:
-            pass
+        self._meta = []
+        f = os.popen('infocmp xterm', 'r')
+        #f = open('xterm.terminfo')
+        self.sequences = {}
+        for line in f:
+            if self.comment_re.match(line) or self.header_re.match(line):
+                continue
+            for field in [x.strip() for x in line.split(',')]:
+                if not field:
+                    continue
+                elif self.bool_re.match(field) or self.num_re.match(field):
+                    continue
+                m = self.str_re.match(field)
+                assert m, "huh?? %r" % field
+                name, val = m.groups()
+                if val.startswith('\\E'):
+                    self.sequences[val.replace('\\E', '\033')] = name
+        f.close()
+
+    def term_filter(self, s):
+        self._meta = []
+        return Dumb.term_filter(self, s)
+    def term_do_esc(self, c):
+        self._meta.append(c)
+
+    def term_handle(self, c):
+        if self._meta:
+            self._meta.append(c)
+            s = ''.join(self._meta)
+
+            if s in self.sequences:
+                name = self.sequences[s]
+                if name in self.callbacks:
+                    f = getattr(self, self.callbacks[name])
+                    f()
+                else:
+                    self._term_insert('<%s>' % name)
+                # certain sequences shouldn't get removed immediately
+                if name in ('home',):
+                    pass
+                else:
+                    self._meta = []
+            elif self.style_re.match(s):
+                self._meta = []
+            elif len(s) > 20:
+                self._term_insert(''.join([show(c) for c in self._meta]))
+                self._meta = []
+        else:
+            Dumb.term_handle(self, c)
+
 
 # terminfo junk
 boolean_settings = [
diff --git a/window.py b/window.py
index c72d83a..1ec3ff0 100644
--- a/window.py
+++ b/window.py
@@ -278,35 +278,22 @@ class Window(object):
         
     # moving in buffer
     def forward(self):
-        cursor = self.logical_cursor()
-        if cursor.x < len(self.buffer.lines[cursor.y]):
-            self.cursor = Point(cursor.x + 1, cursor.y)
-        elif cursor.y < len(self.buffer.lines) -1:
-            self.cursor = Point(0, cursor.y + 1)
+        self.cursor = self.buffer.forward(self.logical_cursor())
         self.assure_visible_cursor()
     def backward(self):
-        cursor = self.logical_cursor()
-        if cursor.x > 0:
-            self.cursor = Point(cursor.x - 1, cursor.y)
-        elif cursor.y > 0:
-            x = len(self.buffer.lines[cursor.y - 1])
-            self.cursor = Point(x, cursor.y - 1)
+        self.cursor = self.buffer.backward(self.logical_cursor())
         self.assure_visible_cursor()
     def end_of_line(self):
-        cursor = self.logical_cursor()
-        self.cursor = Point(len(self.buffer.lines[cursor.y]), cursor.y)
+        self.cursor = self.buffer.end_of_line(self.logical_cursor())
         self.assure_visible_cursor()
     def start_of_line(self):
-        cursor = self.logical_cursor()
-        self.cursor = Point(0, cursor.y)
+        self.cursor = self.buffer.start_of_line(self.logical_cursor())
         self.assure_visible_cursor()
     def previous_line(self):
-        if self.cursor.y > 0:
-            self.cursor = Point(self.cursor.x, self.cursor.y - 1)
+        self.cursor = self.buffer.previous_line(self.cursor)
         self.assure_visible_cursor()
     def next_line(self):
-        if self.cursor.y < len(self.buffer.lines) - 1:
-            self.cursor = Point(self.cursor.x, self.cursor.y + 1)
+        self.cursor = self.buffer.next_line(self.cursor)
         self.assure_visible_cursor()
 
     # word handling
@@ -511,18 +498,9 @@ class Window(object):
 
     # deletion
     def left_delete(self):
-        (x, y) = self.logical_cursor().xy()
-        if x > 0:
-            self.buffer.delete_char(Point(x - 1, y))
-        elif y > 0:
-            x = len(self.buffer.lines[y - 1])
-            self.buffer.delete_char(Point(x, y - 1))
+        self.buffer.left_delete(self.logical_cursor())
     def right_delete(self):
-        cursor = self.logical_cursor()
-        if cursor < self.last:
-            self.buffer.delete_char(cursor)
-        else:
-            pass
+        self.buffer.right_delete(self.logical_cursor())
     def delete(self, p1, p2):
         self.buffer.delete(p1, p2)