From: Evan Leibovitch via Talk <talk@lists.gtalug.org>
I personally would not demand anyone new to Linux use a tool simply because I like it, no matter how good I think it is. It's staring off that person's entire entry journey with a handicap.
Clearly the original request was a joke. Demanding that one start with VI was the first hint. The second hint (if you needed one) is that the list of required reading was a SED and AWK book. (I've used Linux and and UNIX since before there was a VI and I still don't know it. I mostly know SED and AWK from when they were born but rarely write a SED or AWK script.) Alternately, the original deal was: I'll get you a laptop if you learn how to script classic Linux/UNIX tools. In other words, the goal was not to help the student but to mold the student. Evan: all your points are well-taken. I just think that you are responding to nonsense.