[PLUG] Emacs Question

Carlos Konstanski ckonstanski at pippiandcarlos.com
Fri Nov 2 13:21:21 UTC 2007


Go easy on the kids, Rich.  The emacs learning curve isn't for
everybody.  Either you have the emacs gene, or you don't.  Anyone can
learn vi.

At Fri, 2 Nov 2007 06:15:13 -0700 (PDT),
Rich Shepard wrote:
> 
> On Fri, 2 Nov 2007, kurt braget wrote:
> 
> > I think it's cuz you're not using vi.
> 
>    In 1979 I wrote my dissertation using TDP (Text and Document Processor) on
> a HP-3000 minicomputer. This was (is?) a line-oriented editor with a short
> line length that required users to end each line with the [Enter] key or the
> excess was truncated. To add text, one positioned the cursor at the desired
> place and pressed the 'a' key. To modify text, one used the 'm' key; to
> insert, 'i' key and so on. It was an extreme PITA, but better than an
> electric typewriter, especially when committee mandated changes had to be
> made. Every time I have to use vi I'm reminded of this primative editing
> tool.
> 
>    The output device was also different from what we're used to using today.
> It was an IBM Diablo electronic printer; essentially an electric typewriter
> fed by the TDP system. One had to stand there and roll in a new page by hand
> -- just as with a regular typewriter -- before pressing the [Enter] key to
> print that one page. Of course, it was fun watching it print in both
> directions, but the amusement faded quickly with a multi-hundred page
> document that needed multiple copies.
> 
>    So, you stick with vi and I'll stick with emacs.
> 
> Rich
> 
> -- 
> Richard B. Shepard, Ph.D.               |    The Environmental Permitting
> Applied Ecosystem Services, Inc.        |         Accelerators(TM)
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