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Hey all, I'm the author. Feedback is welcome! :) The reason I wrote this is because I've been pair programming quite a bit lately and also mentoring some new v

Hey all, I'm the author. Feedback is welcome! :) The reason I wrote this is because I've been pair programming quite a bit lately and also mentoring some new vim users—so I wrote this little guide to help vim beginners level up their skills a bit. What I noticed is that a lot of vim beginners find composing commands and text-objects to be kind of mind blowing.. and even more experienced vim users mentioned that these were the things that made them have that "aha" moment and convinced them to learn more.

jakecopp 7y ago
I think the concerns others have mentioned about the title/content level are valid, but even though I knew most of the commands I enjoyed reading this! I quite liked your writing style and page design.
dmortin 7y ago
> I've been pair programming quite a bit lately Does it mean both party have to use the same editor? I wouldn't participate in a pair programmnig like that. Pair programming is best when everyone can use one's favorite editor. When there is a pair switch there is also an editor switch if the other party prefers a different editor.
jhoh 7y ago
Great article! The features you showed were some of the ones I've had my first "Oh, now I get why vim is so great"-moments and that really boost your productivity. > Tip: Generally after you’ve inserted some text, you want to return to command mode so that you’re ready to enter your next command. I’d recommend pressing esc any time you’ve finished typing. Totally agree with this. What really helped me with getting this into my muscle memory was remapping Capslock to ESC which seems to be what many (most?) vim users do.
- bingerman 7y ago
  Some of us even prefer mapping Capslock to both ESC and Control, as explained for example here (I'm not the author): https://www.dannyguo.com/blog/remap-caps-lock-to-escape-and-control/ https://www.dannyguo.com/blog/remap-caps-lock-to-escape-and-...
  - solarized 7y ago
    I'm the one who map escape to capslock. Since my capslock doesnt usefull at all !.
  - kchr 7y ago
    Wow. Thank you!
timrichard 7y ago
Nice checklist... I'm not quite convinced about this as general advice : > If you’re like me and never learned to touch type properly, just use the arrow keys, it’s fine, don’t worry about it. When I decided to go all-in on Vim keys some time ago (trying to find plugins for everything), it didn't take long to transition to hjkl. I think it's easier and more convenient to stay near the home row rather than moving my hand over for the arrows. I don't strictly touch type either.
- fanpuns 7y ago
  Was going to comment the same. OP you must be a glutton for punishment if you can't touch type and are using vim
- chapium 7y ago
  Agreed, vim is extra arcane if you avoid home row. If you don't use the home row much there are probably more suitable editors out there.
mxschumacher 7y ago
instead of "52gg" I prefer ":52"
- opan 7y ago
  I prefer 52G. I guess it's not less keys since you're hitting shift, though.
contras1970 7y ago
expert vim :he
chapium 7y ago
Visual mode is a good next step after getting comfortable with b,w,e,h,j,k,l navigation.

jakecopp 7y ago

I think the concerns others have mentioned about the title/content level are valid, but even though I knew most of the commands I enjoyed reading this! I quite liked your writing style and page design.

dmortin 7y ago

> I've been pair programming quite a bit lately Does it mean both party have to use the same editor? I wouldn't participate in a pair programmnig like that. Pair programming is best when everyone can use one's favorite editor. When there is a pair switch there is also an editor switch if the other party prefers a different editor.

jhoh 7y ago

Great article! The features you showed were some of the ones I've had my first "Oh, now I get why vim is so great"-moments and that really boost your productivity. > Tip: Generally after you’ve inserted some text, you want to return to command mode so that you’re ready to enter your next command. I’d recommend pressing esc any time you’ve finished typing. Totally agree with this. What really helped me with getting this into my muscle memory was remapping Capslock to ESC which seems to be what many (most?) vim users do.

bingerman 7y ago
Some of us even prefer mapping Capslock to both ESC and Control, as explained for example here (I'm not the author): https://www.dannyguo.com/blog/remap-caps-lock-to-escape-and-control/ https://www.dannyguo.com/blog/remap-caps-lock-to-escape-and-...
- solarized 7y ago
  I'm the one who map escape to capslock. Since my capslock doesnt usefull at all !.
- kchr 7y ago
  Wow. Thank you!

timrichard 7y ago

Nice checklist... I'm not quite convinced about this as general advice : > If you’re like me and never learned to touch type properly, just use the arrow keys, it’s fine, don’t worry about it. When I decided to go all-in on Vim keys some time ago (trying to find plugins for everything), it didn't take long to transition to hjkl. I think it's easier and more convenient to stay near the home row rather than moving my hand over for the arrows. I don't strictly touch type either.

fanpuns 7y ago
Was going to comment the same. OP you must be a glutton for punishment if you can't touch type and are using vim
chapium 7y ago
Agreed, vim is extra arcane if you avoid home row. If you don't use the home row much there are probably more suitable editors out there.

mxschumacher 7y ago

instead of "52gg" I prefer ":52"

opan 7y ago
I prefer 52G. I guess it's not less keys since you're hitting shift, though.

contras1970 7y ago

expert vim :he

chapium 7y ago

Visual mode is a good next step after getting comfortable with b,w,e,h,j,k,l navigation.