Don't Wish Vim was Easier, Wish You Were Better!

My quest to design, host, and build my website from scratch started with the decision to install Linux on my MacBook Air. What I thought would be a simple switch turned out to be exactly what I needed—a learning challenge.

As a Linux user in my college days, I just assumed I would know my way around. How wrong I was. The lack of practice showed its ugly face on the very first day when I couldn't remember even the most basic commands and shortcuts.

It was painful to realize how much I had forgotten and how many things I had missed learning in my early days. I feel ashamed to admit this: despite being one of the few who used Linux in college, earning a degree in computer science, and starting my career as a programmer—I never mastered even a simple Unix/Linux editor.

After some research and soul-searching, I set my sights on learning Vim, one of the more popular Unix/Linux editors. I prefer learning from books—ideally one that has stood the test of time, just like Vim has. I stumbled upon Mastering Vim Quickly - From WTF to OMG in no time by Jovica Illic.

Instead of a standard preface, Jovica uses that space as a kind of FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). I became a fan at the second question itself: What you need for this book.

Illic doesn’t mince words. He says motivation and a desire to learn aren’t enough. Discipline will help, but learning quickly doesn’t mean learning easily. You will get stuck. You will conclude that Vim is hard.

At that point, Illic says, "Don't wish Vim was easier, wish you were better!"

That’s exactly the kind of teacher I always look for.