I haven't read this, but from the contents it seems like you can learn everything there is in the book from the official Emacs GNU documentation:
https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/emacs/in...
Mastering Emacs
21–30 of 102 posts
Re: Mastering Emacs
#22I would personally recommend using vim bindings in emacs, as they are (in my opinion) easier to make sense of and more intuitive. However, I'm sure this book is a great resource for all the other stuff and it seems very well put-together.
spacemacs (includes evil) plug: https://github.com/syl20bnr/spacemacs Really great.
HN Discussion with a LOT of good comments regarding Spacemacs [0]
Re: Mastering Emacs
#23I haven't read this, but from the contents it seems like you can learn everything there is in the book from the official Emacs GNU documentation: https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/emacs/in...
While RTFM is technically a correct answer to any Emacs question, the reason for purchasing a secondary resource is that the author has presumably curated the documentation for a particular audience.
I agree that Emacs documentation is very good, and once I recently got in the habit of C-h'ing for answers rather than Google'ing I became more productive and can work more productively with the WiFi on my laptop off [not having the temptation of HN among the productivity enhancements]. But this doesn't change the fact that better explanations are possible and that a teacher is often better than a specification. Experts can contextualize a problem, and that has added value.
Re: Mastering Emacs
#24I would personally recommend using vim bindings in emacs, as they are (in my opinion) easier to make sense of and more intuitive. However, I'm sure this book is a great resource for all the other stuff and it seems very well put-together.
Intuitiveness is subjective. Take cursor movement for example. I understand now h,j,k,l is a remnant from historic keyboards, but when I started learning vim, I couldn't fathom why 'h' moves a cursor to left and 'l' to the right, though I got used to it eventually. The emacs 'C-f' for forward and 'C-b' for backward were definitely more intuitive. Of course, depending on the mode, some emacs commands can be cryptic and leave you with a painful pinky, but they were definitely more intuitive to me.
Re: Mastering Emacs
#25I haven't read this, but from the contents it seems like you can learn everything there is in the book from the official Emacs GNU documentation: https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/emacs/in...
Wow, what a really mean-spirited comment, and it's the top one (at the time of writing.) -- did you consider what you said here before writing it? Let me propose a rewrite:-
'If you can't afford to buy this, the official emacs GNU documentation is great - [link]'
Instead you first admit you haven't read it, then imply, but in somewhat weasel words, that it doesn't offer anything beyond what the official documentation offers.
I'm a long-term emacs user and I can tell you that while the official docs cover a lot, they provide more of a reference than a guide, so a book like this is really worthwhile.
Keep in mind the author would have dedicated enormous amounts of time and effort to writing this, and technical book writing is very rarely a profitable enterprise.
I think we need a bit more kindness towards people's work (as well as _constructive_ criticism of course) - how do you think the author might feel reading this on such a prominent tech website? Imagine it was something you worked on for hundreds of hours, dismissed in the top comment, how would you feel? We're all humans, and empathy is already lacking enough in our industry, so think a little before posting next time.
Re: Mastering Emacs
#26I haven't read this, but from the contents it seems like you can learn everything there is in the book from the official Emacs GNU documentation: https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/emacs/in...
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Re: Mastering Emacs
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
Swap your CTRL and caps lock keys. It will make it a lot easier to use.
Nope, don't do that. Learn to proper touch-type instead. Use your palms to press the ctrl keys. See: http://ergoemacs.org/emacs/swap_CapsLock_Ctrl.html . You can then use Ctrl+m instead of Enter at the command line, as well. Save both pinkies from the extra effort.
A keyboard with symmetrically placed C and M keys is another piece of Xah Lee's sound advice: http://ergoemacs.org/emacs/emacs_pinky.html
I've been using the MicroSoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 for several years and it has improved my touch for M and C. Recently, I've been applying that on my ThinkPad [chosen because of the symmetric layout] and am removing some additional bad habits related to left-C right-C.
Re: Mastering Emacs
#28I've always been an emacs user but have only recently gotten serious about customizing it to replace other applications I normally use. If anyone has bought this and at least skimmed through I'd love to hear your thoughts before I drop $35.99 to see for myself.
If Mastering Emacs isn't the right book for your situation, you might consider purchasing a hardcopy of the Emacs Manual:
http://shop.fsf.org/category/books/
As a bonus, you'd be supporting the Free Software Foundation with your purchase.
Re: Mastering Emacs
#29I followed this blog for a while and loved it! Strongly recommended for Emacs beginners.
Also, one thing beginners miss is how great it is to use an existing configuration to learn. I've personally used @bodil's config from here[1], it's pretty comprehensive and awesome. If you are a beginner though, you should totally start with @bbatsov's Emacs Prelude[2].
Re: Mastering Emacs
#30I really like this blog, it's great. Very engaging. Would recommend subscribing to it! ps thanks for the downvote HN - classy :-)
I didn't downvote your post, but I can see why others might feel that it doesn't contribute to the conversation because basically the only possible responses are "Me too" and "You are wrong". Adding the complaint about the downvote would ordinarily get a downvote from me, but I'd already used my vote in search of justice.
Anyway, consider the downvotes editorial feedback and perhaps taking advantage of the opportunity to improve or remove what you have written.