--- a/doc/interpreter/basics.txi
+++ b/doc/interpreter/basics.txi
@@ -391,10 +391,13 @@
 @cindex command-line editing
 @cindex editing the command line
 
-Octave uses the GNU readline library to provide an extensive set of
+Octave uses the GNU Readline library to provide an extensive set of
 command-line editing and history features.  Only the most common
-features are described in this manual.  Please see The GNU Readline
-Library manual for more information.
+features are described in this manual.  In addition, all of the editing
+functions can be bound to different key strokes at the user's discretion.  
+This manual assumes no changes from the default Emacs bindings.  See the GNU 
+Readline Library manual for more information on customizing Readline and 
+for a complete feature list.
 
 To insert printing characters (letters, digits, symbols, etc.), simply
 type the character.  Octave will insert the character at the cursor and
@@ -406,11 +409,12 @@
 and then press @key{a}.  In the following sections, control characters
 such as @kbd{Control-a} are written as @kbd{C-a}.
 
-Another set of command-line editing functions use Meta characters.  On
-some terminals, you type @kbd{M-u} by holding down @key{META} and
-pressing @key{u}.  If your terminal does not have a @key{META} key, you
+Another set of command-line editing functions use Meta characters.  To 
+type @kbd{M-u}, hold down the @key{META} key and press @key{u}.  Depending
+on the keyboard, the @key{META} key may be labeled @key{ALT} or
+even @key{WINDOWS}.  If your terminal does not have a @key{META} key, you
 can still type Meta characters using two-character sequences starting
-with @kbd{ESC}.  Thus, to enter @kbd{M-u}, you could type
+with @kbd{ESC}.  Thus, to enter @kbd{M-u}, you would type
 @key{ESC} @key{u}.  The @kbd{ESC} character sequences are also allowed on
 terminals with real Meta keys.  In the following sections, Meta
 characters such as @kbd{Meta-u} are written as @kbd{M-u}.
@@ -462,8 +466,7 @@
 
 @item C-_
 @itemx C-/
-Undo the last thing that you did.  You can undo all the way back to an
-empty line.
+Undo the last action.  You can undo all the way back to an empty line.
 
 @item M-r
 Undo all changes made to this line.  This is like typing the `undo'
@@ -472,8 +475,8 @@
 
 The above table describes the most basic possible keystrokes that you need
 in order to do editing of the input line.  On most terminals, you can
-also use the arrow keys in place of @kbd{C-f} and @kbd{C-b} to move
-forward and backward.
+also use the left and right arrow keys in place of @kbd{C-f} and @kbd{C-b}
+to move forward and backward.
 
 Notice how @kbd{C-f} moves forward a character, while @kbd{M-f} moves
 forward a word.  It is a loose convention that control keystrokes
@@ -484,9 +487,7 @@
 The function @code{clc} will allow you to clear the screen from within
 Octave programs.
 
-@ifinfo
 @DOCSTRING(clc)
-@end ifinfo
 
 @node Killing and Yanking
 @subsection Killing and Yanking
@@ -638,8 +639,8 @@
 the history as necessary.
 @end table
 
-On most terminals, you can also use the arrow keys in place of @kbd{C-p}
-and @kbd{C-n} to move through the history list.
+On most terminals, you can also use the up and down arrow keys in place 
+of @kbd{C-p} and @kbd{C-n} to move through the history list.
 
 In addition to the keyboard commands for moving through the history
 list, Octave provides three functions for viewing, editing, and
@@ -651,27 +652,34 @@
 
 @DOCSTRING(run_history)
 
-Octave also allows you customize the details of how and where the history
+@noindent
+Octave also allows you customize the details of when, where, and how history
 is saved.
 
+@DOCSTRING(saving_history)
+
 @DOCSTRING(history_file)
 
 @DOCSTRING(history_size)
 
-@DOCSTRING(saving_history)
-
 @DOCSTRING(history_timestamp_format_string)
 
 @DOCSTRING(EDITOR)
 
 @node Customizing readline
 @subsection Customizing @code{readline}
+@cindex @file{~/.inputrc}
+@cindex customizing @code{readline}
+@cindex @code{readline} customization
 
-As mentioned earlier Octave uses the GNU readline library for
-command-line editing and history features.  It is possible to
-customize how readline works through a configuration file.
+Octave uses the GNU Readline library for command-line editing and
+history features.  Readline is very flexible and can be modified through
+a configuration file of commands (See the GNU Readline library for the
+exact command syntax).  The default configuration file is normally
+@file{~/.inputrc}.
 
-@c FIXME -- need a brief description of the ~/.inputrc file here.
+Octave provides two commands for initializing Readline and thereby changing
+the command line behavior.
 
 @DOCSTRING(read_readline_init_file)