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Ok - I know I may be downmodded for this but wouldn't it just make more sense to switch to an editor that maybe doesn't cause you RSI problems? All I'm saying

Ok - I know I may be downmodded for this but wouldn't it just make more sense to switch to an editor that maybe doesn't cause you RSI problems? All I'm saying is that if you have to go through so much pain and trouble to use a piece of software then just maybe it's not right for you. Also I'm not suggesting Vi but Emacs has a pretty good Viper-mode that may help with RSI issues. I use EMacs with Viper and I can pretty much work with minor hiccups when I switch from Vim. Just a suggestion.

sharkbrainguy 17y ago
If you're used to vim, vimpulse brings viper mode alot closer. http://www.emacswiki.org/emacs/vimpulse http://www.emacswiki.org/emacs/vimpulse
- visitor4rmindia 17y ago
  Thanks - will try it out.
silentbicycle 17y ago
Yes, it would. People aren't persisting in using Emacs because it's a good editor, but rather because it's an integrated environment for manipulating anything textual (which happens to be scripted in a Lisp dialect). The integration is the important part, and it's integrated in a very different sense than, say, Visual Studio or Eclipse. It just happens to have ergonomically nightmarish default keybindings (and other historical baggage), and a culture that perpetuates them. I've tried viper mode (I used vim for five years before I started using Emacs, and I still use nvi for quick editing sometimes), but it's against the current of the ten million other settings Emacs has. I would love to see a real alternative to that facet of Emacs (and would work on one, if I ever got that kind of time...), but vim isn't it. Wily / Acme are closer, perhaps, but they trade complex keybindings for switching constantly between the mouse and keyboard, which is likely worse.
- visitor4rmindia 17y ago
  I think you're missing the point. I'm not denying that EMacs is great at what it does (I use it extensively). However, if I had RSI problems I would switch to something else - it's definitely worth learning a new tool if it helps my health and well being.
pivo 17y ago
Emacs isn't the only source of RSI in the world. It just so happens that none of the emacs users in my office suffer from RSI, and several of the Eclipse users do. I think it makes more sense to try to fix the problems the way Bill has than to give up on an editor which (we emacs users think) is incredibly productive. Besides, it may be that RSI will follow you to whatever other editor you choose. That was the case for me, in fact, and I fixed it years ago by switching to a cheapo $30 Microsoft Natural keyboard.

sharkbrainguy 17y ago

If you're used to vim, vimpulse brings viper mode alot closer. http://www.emacswiki.org/emacs/vimpulse http://www.emacswiki.org/emacs/vimpulse

visitor4rmindia 17y ago
Thanks - will try it out.

silentbicycle 17y ago

Yes, it would. People aren't persisting in using Emacs because it's a good editor, but rather because it's an integrated environment for manipulating anything textual (which happens to be scripted in a Lisp dialect). The integration is the important part, and it's integrated in a very different sense than, say, Visual Studio or Eclipse. It just happens to have ergonomically nightmarish default keybindings (and other historical baggage), and a culture that perpetuates them. I've tried viper mode (I used vim for five years before I started using Emacs, and I still use nvi for quick editing sometimes), but it's against the current of the ten million other settings Emacs has. I would love to see a real alternative to that facet of Emacs (and would work on one, if I ever got that kind of time...), but vim isn't it. Wily / Acme are closer, perhaps, but they trade complex keybindings for switching constantly between the mouse and keyboard, which is likely worse.

visitor4rmindia 17y ago
I think you're missing the point. I'm not denying that EMacs is great at what it does (I use it extensively). However, if I had RSI problems I would switch to something else - it's definitely worth learning a new tool if it helps my health and well being.

pivo 17y ago

Emacs isn't the only source of RSI in the world. It just so happens that none of the emacs users in my office suffer from RSI, and several of the Eclipse users do. I think it makes more sense to try to fix the problems the way Bill has than to give up on an editor which (we emacs users think) is incredibly productive. Besides, it may be that RSI will follow you to whatever other editor you choose. That was the case for me, in fact, and I fixed it years ago by switching to a cheapo $30 Microsoft Natural keyboard.