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by DeathArrow 18 days ago
>Why are we emotionally tied to command line interfaces

Being a power user, having used computers for more than 30 years, I usually prefer GUI because that's an evolution over CLI.

Going from the basic interpreter on ZX Spectrum to the command line in MS DOS had me mesmerized. Going from the DOS CLI to Windows 95 GUI, had me me mesmerized, too.

I think people in general consider themselves more pro and "hackers" if they use CLI and editors like Vi and Emacs.

There are bonus points for memorizing hundreds of different keyboard shortcuts and not using the mouse at all.

If they absolutely have to use GUI, they not use a desktop environment in Linux but a stacking window manager.

2 comments

Which is a pity, a real hacker uses a graphical environment inspired from Lisp Machines, Interlisp-D, Smalltalk, selecting code in the REPL with "do it", fixing it on the fly in the debugger and "redo it", changing the work environment in the flow.

Unfortunely they hear that and only understand Emacs.

Would you prefer if those people used a mouse and desktop environments?
I am not trying to diminish anyone and I do not have a preferences for how other people use computers. I was merely trying to explain why the CLI gets so much attention.