Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!uwvax!umn-d-ub!rhealey
From: rhealey@umn-d-ub.D.UMN.EDU (Rob Healey)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.questions
Subject: Re: vi vs emacs in a student environment
Summary: think STUDENTS
Message-ID: <370@umn-d-ub.D.UMN.EDU>
Date: 5 Jul 88 02:29:04 GMT
References: <399@cantuar.UUCP> <11418@steinmetz.ge.com> <6056@megaron.arizona.edu> <1832@stpstn.UUCP> <449@jonlab.UUCP>
Reply-To: rhealey@ub.d.umn.edu.UUCP (Rob Healey)
Organization: University of Minnesota, Duluth
Lines: 26


	If you take a close look at the original poster's message it seems
	to me that their asking for an editor that STUDENTS can use; not
	programmers, not system admins, STUDENTS. I've worked with STUDENTS
	in computer labs for 4 years. We use vi exclusively, why?

	, arrow keys, i, a, x, dd, O, o, :wq

	The keystrokes listed above are ALL that 90% of the STUDENTS need.

	Most humans with a reasonable IQ can handle the above with 30 minutes
	or less practice. I'd hate to have to explain the concept of a meta
	key to an incomming freshman. STUDENTS don't need multiple windows
	or fancy features, just a fast way of creating text. Except for :wq
	and O all the above commands require the student to hit ONE key; no
	control, no shift, no meta, no multikey combination. When the students
	gain experience they can research new editors if they wish. For the
	non majors who have to take CS as a junk credit or to kill off lib eds
	the vi commands above serve just fine.

	Just thought I'd put things in a slightly different perspective.

				-Rob
-- 

			-Rob