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If you have failed to grok vim, ditch the arrow keys

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Re: If you have failed to grok vim, ditch the arrow keys

#11

Post by papaver »

CoffeeDregs wrote: post #9

I have probably tried 3 times to ditch the arrows and use hjkl and I've failed each time. What is the trick to overcoming this? Perhaps it's that I've done it while at work that has caused the issue (ie. I need to be productive now!). Pick a weekend and force the switch?

i think work is the best place to do it. just stick with it knowing that it may take a few days to get back to your original pace. don't allow your self to use the arrow keys and you will pick them up much faster. just remind yourself that you will be able to make up all the lost time because you will easily be twice as fast once you stop picking your hands up from the home row.

i went through the same pains. the worst was copy and paste. what a pain! but in a week or two it will become mostly natural.

Re: If you have failed to grok vim, ditch the arrow keys

#12

Post by jfabre »

CoffeeDregs wrote: post #9

I have probably tried 3 times to ditch the arrows and use hjkl and I've failed each time. What is the trick to overcoming this? Perhaps it's that I've done it while at work that has caused the issue (ie. I need to be productive now!). Pick a weekend and force the switch?

www.vim-adventures.com :)

Re: If you have failed to grok vim, ditch the arrow keys

#13

Post by snarfy »

My #1 trick/recommendation? Use Control-[ instead of the Esc key. It's less hand travel and keeps your fingers on the home keys. It's all about minimizing your arm movements.

The same goes for hkjl. The arrow keys are too far away, that's why you use hkjl. Embrace the lazy and you'll grok vim.

Re: If you have failed to grok vim, ditch the arrow keys

#14

Post by smosher »

enoch_r wrote: post #7
cdash wrote: post #4

Why not just use jikl instead if you don't want to lift your hand to move to the arrow keys. I am kind of tired of seeing this obsession with trying to get everyone to use hjkl which just doesn't make any actual sense. I totally get the point about the arrow keys requiring you to lift your hand but you can accomplish the same arrow key logic while keeping your hand in the same place.

Generally when people advocate using hjkl, they're doing so: A: for use within vim (where "i" has another meaning already), or B: for people who have a long history using vim and are already used to the hjkl paradigm, or C: (most often) both. I'm really not sure why you would get tired of this "obsession." No one is telling you to use hjkl unless you're using vim.

> I'm really not sure why you would get tired of this "obsession."

It's annoying when you spot this kind of thing about 6 times a year. FWIW today I also spotted a story about how you shouldn't be using hjkl.

Re: If you have failed to grok vim, ditch the arrow keys

#15

Post by vacri »

arthulia wrote: post #10
vacri wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

'i' already has a function in vim - one of the most frequently used ones.

He makes a good point though. You could switch insert to the h key and do it this way. Upsides: - ijkl is easier for users learning vim. - don't have to shift your fingers over to h key Downsides - rebind insert to h (not really a big deal) - middle finger is now responsible for up and down (I honestly don't see this having much effect on efficiency) I'm tempted to try this, but I hate the feeling of not being famili…

The issue with rebinding is that you'll only encounter your bindings on your machine. If you're frequently on machines that don't have your custom profile, that's an issue.

I'm having trouble getting off the arrow keys myself - because they work regardless of whether you're in insert mode or not...

Re: If you have failed to grok vim, ditch the arrow keys

#16

Post by arthulia »

vacri wrote: post #15
arthulia wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He makes a good point though. You could switch insert to the h key and do it this way. Upsides: - ijkl is easier for users learning vim. - don't have to shift your fingers over to h key Downsides - rebind insert to h (not really a big deal) - middle finger is now responsible for up and down (I honestly don't see this having much effect on efficiency) I'm tempted to try this, but I hate the feeling of not being famili…

The issue with rebinding is that you'll only encounter your bindings on your machine. If you're frequently on machines that don't have your custom profile, that's an issue. I'm having trouble getting off the arrow keys myself - because they work regardless of whether you're in insert mode or not...

> The issue with rebinding is that you'll only encounter your bindings on your machine. If you're frequently on machines that don't have your custom profile, that's an issue.

I mentioned that at the end of my post.

Re: If you have failed to grok vim, ditch the arrow keys

#17

Post by armored_mammal »

I can't use vim effectively because I constantly try to navigate using WASD.

I know I can bind it, but the thought of rebinding every command and then being dependent on towing the configuration to every computer I'd ever use scares me.

So I use it on occasion with the same artfulness as someone on crutches trying to dance.

Maybe someday someone will default an 'FPS' control layout.

Re: If you have failed to grok vim, ditch the arrow keys

#19

Post by nnnnni »

snarfy wrote: post #13

My #1 trick/recommendation? Use Control-[ instead of the Esc key. It's less hand travel and keeps your fingers on the home keys. It's all about minimizing your arm movements. The same goes for hkjl. The arrow keys are too far away, that's why you use hkjl. Embrace the lazy and you'll grok vim.

False!

The #1 trick is to swap control and caps lock. The #2 trick is to use control-[

Re: If you have failed to grok vim, ditch the arrow keys

#20

Post by nnnnni »

jfabre wrote: post #12
CoffeeDregs wrote: post #9

I have probably tried 3 times to ditch the arrows and use hjkl and I've failed each time. What is the trick to overcoming this? Perhaps it's that I've done it while at work that has caused the issue (ie. I need to be productive now!). Pick a weekend and force the switch?

www.vim-adventures.com :)

Or play nethack!
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