DCL and EDT for Unix?

[Bob Boyd]

It's interesting to me how this discussion started off on the topic of
EDITORS -- somehow the participants so far have digressed to a discussion
of the issues around learning different user interfaces to computer systems.

My personal opinion ( humble or not ) about editors is that some of us can
transition to a new type of editor relatively easily -- others not.

I find vi to be a nuisance, especially after having used EDT and EVE+.

I started to learn EMACS some time ago, but had no real need for it at
the time -- so I stuck with EVE+.  Now I have a need to do editing on 
systems that only have vi, perhaps we will put up a version of emacs
since it seems to be a lot more powerful.  Anyway, I am learning to 
get comfortable with vi.  I still find it frustrating the way some things
are dealt with in vi -- they seem counter-intuitive to me.  

My point that I am getting to is that an editor isn't the command interpreter
for most people.  And the command interpreter isn't the operating system.

I suggest that if you can port an editor onto a different operating system
you may save a lot of hassle with people having to learn everything from
scratch -- command language and editors when they transition.  I have seen
people be very proficient in all types of different editors.  Some are 
easier to learn.  Some are easier to use(fewer keystrokes for same effect).
Some are more powerful(whiz-bang programming/macro language).  

How to decide?  If Joe/Jane User really likes editor <xyz> and it can be
had for the system they are being required/asked to use, why not provide it?
There's nothing to be gained by beating them on the head and saying "You
shouldn't prefer that editor!  You should learn this other one because it
comes with the system."  Why should you or I be concerned about defending
any editor...or proselytizing converts to it?  

I suggest that if there's a choice available, let the users have their
choice.  After all, why not?  Except for cost of providing the alternative
what is lost?

Any person performing a trade will tend to develop a favorite set of tools
that they use in doing the job -- and occasionally they may learn that there
is a tool that will help them do the job more easily/faster/etc....  Then
they may choose to make a change.

What other views are there on this besides the ones that have been aired in
this thread already "You can do it that way, but it just wouldn't be the
UNIX way!" or "This way or that way, it's all about the same."?
-- 
                         | Disclaimer: (is it bedda dan dat claimer?)
Bob                      | My opinions are mine, mine, mine!  Horrors that
rbn at epavax.rtpnc.epa.gov | anyone would confuse them with those of Unisys
Unisys/EPA               | or the Environmental Protection Agency! No Way!