> For him, it's a whole guacamole, because there is a special shortcut to get to the browser, another one to get to the text, then copy/paste, then go to vim with another shortcut, select the proper buffer, paste with a yet another shortcut and make sure he uses the proper mode. Since Dvorak is a different layout than his phone keyboard or his client keyboards, the shortcuts don't perfectly rely on muscle memory.
I think you are over-estimating the effort. Most experienced Vim users not even think about motions when they use them, it's just the muscle memory.
Nevertheless, I can see how much effort it costs him every time I see him performs those tasks. Because I can see him pause to think of the sequence of the things he needs to do to achieve the result for some very basic stuff.
If you have to constantly think about how to use your pen instead of what you are writing about, it's a problem.
But it's an invisible problem if you are attached to your tools, you will never notice it. It's not possible, your tools are so great, they save you time, they make you more efficient, they are most comfortable.
At this stage it's part of his identity.
I can't say for you, as I don't know your particular situation.
But that's definitely the case for him and for several vim + tiling users that I know.
They spent years investing in this.
They will never say anything but good things about it.
But they wills start working on a project, and spend 30 minute fixing something before they can even start on the task. Then every single step requires planning for the basic moves.
If you look at how they work, the tools are taking a toll, inch by inch.
> But that's definitely the case for him and for several vim + tiling users that I know.
> Then every single step requires planning for the basic moves.
I think you are imagining things, because that makes you feel better. None of this is true for experienced vim users. It's true for novices, but that's the nature of learning. I know you won't believe me, but I don't really care.
> They will never say anything but good things about it.
That's not true either, as every tool has pros and cons, and every vim/tmux/i3/arch/linux user is aware of that.
Look at YT/Twitch for any good Vim user, like Primeagen or TJ Devries, or basically any Vim-related conference talks and you will see that your understanding is flawed.
I think you are over-estimating the effort. Most experienced Vim users not even think about motions when they use them, it's just the muscle memory.