[rdtsc]

> I completely do not understand how anyone can use Emacs’ default keybindings.

I completely do not understand how switching modes is a good idea in an editor. It just doesn't fit in my brain somehow. I start typing and randomly end up pasting and cutting. I want to paste and cut it randomly types my commands in insert mode.

Emacs cords are pretty intuitive to me. I don't know many: just moving, saving, creating 2 windows, search & replace, cutting and pasting. There are hundreds more, but you can get away with a few basic ones.

Save needing to rebind the Ctrl key to CapsLock, emacs key-bindings are optimized to not have to move the hands to the mouse or arrow keys, which I appreciate. Vim's are as well, but again I don't like modes, so there is that.

[Afton]

I can't find it now, but the guy running http://www.viemu.com/blog/ has a good explanation for this problem. Basically, while there are modes, you don't work like that. You are always in command mode, and you slip briefly into e.g. insert mode, before popping back out to the 'default' command mode. This perfectly described how I work in Vim, and when I passed it around my office, several people had 'ahah!' moments. YMMV.

[jng]

http://www.viemu.com/a-why-vi-vim.html

[Afton]

Thank you!

[base698]

I know both well, and emacs are essential to navigating Mac OSX UI. If someone ever catches you typing in gmail they will ask how you are moving around so fast.

I tried emacs until my pinky hurt so bad I switched to vim.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emacs#.22Emacs_pinky.22

[mcguire]

Anyone who thinks Emacs isn't modal hasn't opened a buffer on a directory.

[rdtsc]

Then closer the buffer. I've only opened it by accident. To use Vim I can't "disable" modes and only into modes by accident, I am forced to use them.

So no, emacs is not modal like Vim. But good try, good try...

Besides, why not use speedbar, that opens a nice directory browser and you can open files by clicking on them.