It seems like you can't be a True Unix Devotee (whatever that is) if you haven't taken sides on the great emacs/vi war. And if you're looking at this book, you've probably made up your mind already -- even if it's a deeply cynical "Why should anybody care?"

This book will not change your mind, either for or against. But even in 2008 there are still good reasons to know how to use vi well, beyond :x and simple editing tasks. "Learning the vi editor" will make you not just a proficient, but an /efficient/ vi user -- if you want to be. ( )

If you want to learn the VI editor, so that you can lord it over your other geek friends who don't know how, then this is the book for you. If, however, you have some semblance of a life, skip it. ( )