where one could hold a modifier key BEFORE clicking on a node, where the mouse pointer adds a little modifier icon to the node edit tool,

That is, to the mouse pointer. Yes, ideally any meaningful modifier keypress or mouse action should change mouse cursor and provide a useful statusbar hint. It's in my plans, although currently we still have more urgent usability problems...

_________________________________________________________________ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/bcomm&pgmarket=en-ca&RU=http%3a%2f%2f...