Overview (2.2 release) (2.0 release) (1.2 release) (1.0 release)
The nano project was started because of a few problems with the wonderfully easy-to-use and friendly Pico text editor. GNU nano features:
 
  • Autoconf support.
  • Truly free license (GNU GPL). 
  • Goto-line# command w/o flag. 
  • Case sensitive search function. 
  • Interactive search and replace. 
  • 2/3 - 1/8 size of Pico binary.
    		•
  • Slang and ncurses support.
  • Autoindent abillity.
  • Displayed tab width option. 
  • Regular expression search and replace. 
  • Toggles for cmdline flags via Meta keys. 
  • Tab completion when reading/writing files. 
    		•

    The main disadvantage is lack of mailer integration, but this is also a strength.  GNU nano aims to emulate Pico and perhaps provide extra functionality.