Gavin Clark wrote:
> > If it bugs you, don't use it - there are plenty of other character-driven text
> > editors available.
>
> this is backwards, if you know how to use vi or are willing to learn then it
> will be a simple task for you to use it. but if you are new to linux/unix
> (read: just about everyone on earth) vi is just too damned hard.
So don't use vi -- but don't trash it without having a damn good reason. "It's too
hard for me" is not a good reason.
> apparent help, no feedback, nothing. The first time I used vi I had to pull
> the plug on the computer because I couldn't figure out how to make it quit.
There are plenty of good books available on how to use (which also means quit out
of) vi. Even the most basic Unix books (like "System V Release 4: an Introduction")
have a section on basic vi usage.
I find it a little ironic that people who willingly spend hundreds of dollars on
books for MS products won't bother to pick up a basic Unix text. Let's not get
*too* too comfortable, hmn?
And as I said - you can use something else. As many other people on the list have
pointed out, there are hundreds of different editors available.
> > Usability is an entirely subjective property.
>
> not true. put a group of novices in a room and measure how much work they
> get done in an hour. with vi they'll still be scrolling through the man
> page.
Take the time to make an effort and you can be using vi within about one to two
hours class time. This is not rocket surgery, folks.
And usability doesn't mean ridiculously easy - it means effective.
-Stephen-
