I agree. Text slicing and column-mode editing are the bees' knees. Being able to use it effectively is similar to being able to leverage multiple layers in an i

I agree. Text slicing and column-mode editing are the bees' knees. Being able to use it effectively is similar to being able to leverage multiple layers in an image editor: you won't want to go without it when it's the Right Tool. In Eclipse, control-shift-a will toggle it, and in Komodo you can just use alt-shift to select in a column. (I like Eclipse's mode toggle better, frankly.) It exists in several other editors, of course -- I think Sublime Text 2's demo reel includes it.