From: Gregory Brown <gregory.t.brown@...>
Date: 2006-11-21T07:31:26+09:00
Subject: Re: Ruby vs Java vs c++

On 11/19/06, M. Edward (Ed) Borasky <znmeb@cesmail.net> wrote:
> Gregory Brown wrote:
> > I'm really proud of myself for actually trying a Mac, finding out it
> > wasn't for me, and going back to GNU/Linux (ArchLinux)
> >
> > Though I will say that if TextMate was cross platform, I might
> > consider at least trying to get over my cult-like affection towards
> > vim :)
> >
> >
> Quick quiz -- how many vim users actually donate money to the orphanage
> in Uganda?

Good question.  I should do that sooner or later.

> Actually, what made Vim my editor of choice was the GVim implementation
> on Windows, not the Unix/Linux versions. After all, they already had vi,
> and for those with enough memory, emacs. But the ability to do both "vi"
> keystroke editing and Notepad-like cut and paste in GVim was what made
> it indispensable to me.

Most of the time vi is just aliased to vim on newer systems.
(possibly in the ugly compatible mode).  Yeah, I liked GVim a lot when
I was still using windows a lot, I find myself using command line vim
even on windows now, just because of my fear of the mouse.

The reason I started using vim maybe 7 years ago was because I opened
up emacs first, couldn't figure out how to edit a file or close it in
five seconds, and then had to kill the process.  I opened up vim and
it told me how to do that right away.  I think emacs has something to
that effect now.... But that was literally the arbitrary decision I
made.  Now I'm just happy enough with vim that what others have shown
me in Emacs I can usually do in vim, so there is no compelling reason
for me to switch.  So it keeps me out of holy wars usually, except for
the occasional support of Vim just to be loyal :)

> ArchLinux, eh? I've forgotten -- is that a Debian derivative?

http://archlinux.org/about/

I think it was based on CRUX, actually.

They're *much* less concerned with licensing issues.  I'm a bit of an
idealist when it comes to maintaining a free operating system, but
when I have hardware that free drivers barely support without pain,
I'm willing to slip a little. ;)

The real reason why I like ArchLinux though is because it offers the
flexibility and simplicity of something like Gentoo without waiting
weeks for things to compile :) (Yes, gentoo has binaries too, but it's
too tempting to use the shiny build system).  Arch does have a decent
build system, when it is needed though.

I can probably fit the applications I use regularly onto my fingers,
so as simple a system as possible is what I crave. :)