[lotw_dot_site]

I've actually managed to make nano look even simpler, by getting rid of all the interface elements except for a vim-like cursor position indicator in the bottom right. The notes to do it are here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BJeBc0mynxR8lrL4u20q4oBc8vQ.... It wouldn't take too much effort do make it a .diff to auto patch the source code. My main issue with nano is its liberal usage of eye-blinding reverse video.

But I am just so utterly addicted to vim's undo/redo that I always feel naked without it at my fingertips!

And yes, emacs is definitely a universe unto its own. The point is that as a standard command line utility, the option to use it as a bare bones text editor is always readily available to end users, without need to do very much digging into things like settings/hamburger menus. I'm sure there are many emacs gurus "at the ready" in order to answer any conceivable unanswered question about emacs posted to stackoverflow.