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docs(web/blog): Light editing on the unpublished Emacs post

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Vincent Ambo 2020-02-22 01:58:33 +00:00
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49
web/blog/posts/emacs-is-underrated.md
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@ -5,10 +5,10 @@ possibility that it might contain valuable things. I don't know if I'm
on track in the right direction, and your input will help me figure it on track in the right direction, and your input will help me figure it
out. Thanks! out. Thanks!
TODO(tazjin): Rewrite the last section to highlight that the primary TODO(tazjin): Restructure sections: Intro -> Introspectability (and
UX paradigm of Emacs is *interactive text* (from which fluidity is story) -> text-based UIs (which lead to fluidity, muscle memory across
derived). This ties together stuff like muscle memory being universal programs and "translatability" of workflows) -> Outro. It needs more
across programs. flow!
TODO(tazjin): Highlight more that it's not about editing: People can TODO(tazjin): Highlight more that it's not about editing: People can
derive useful things from Emacs by just using magit/org/notmuch/etc.! derive useful things from Emacs by just using magit/org/notmuch/etc.!
@ -36,15 +36,13 @@ follow me along on a little thought experiment:
---------- ----------
Imagine you have a computer running a standard, proprietary operating Lets say you use a proprietary spreadsheet program. You find that
system. there are features in it that *almost, but not quite* do what you
want.
On it, you use a proprietary spreadsheet program. You find that there What can you do? You can file a feature request to the company that
are features in it that *almost, but not quite* do what you want. makes it and hope they listen, but for the likes of Apple and
Microsoft chances are they won't and there is nothing you can do.
What can you do about this? You can file a feature request to the
company that makes it and hope they listen, but for the likes of Apple
and Microsoft chances are they won't and there is nothing you can do.
Let's say you are also running an open-source program for image Let's say you are also running an open-source program for image
manipulation. You again find that some of its features are subtly manipulation. You again find that some of its features are subtly
@ -72,15 +70,13 @@ What if it didn't have to be this way?
One of the core properties of Emacs is that it is *introspective* and One of the core properties of Emacs is that it is *introspective* and
*self-documenting*. *self-documenting*.
For a simple example: A few years ago, I had just switched over to For example: A few years ago, I had just switched over to using
using [EXWM][], the Emacs X Window Manager. To launch applications I [EXWM][], the Emacs X Window Manager. To launch applications I was
was using a program called Helm, which is similar in spirit to dmenu, using an Emacs program called Helm that let me select installed
that let me select installed programs interactively and press programs interactively and press <kbd>RET</kbd> to execute them.
<kbd>RET</kbd> to execute them.
Helm was very useful - until I discovered that if I tried to open a This was very useful - until I discovered that if I tried to open a
second terminal emulator while one was already running, it would second terminal window, it would display an error:
display an error:
Error: urxvt is already running Error: urxvt is already running
@ -123,8 +119,11 @@ Emacs program, and I did the following things:
The whole process took maybe a minute, and the problem was now gone. The whole process took maybe a minute, and the problem was now gone.
For those to whom this means something: Emacs is the closest we can Emacs isn't just "open-source", it actively encourages the user to
get to the experience of Lisp machines on modern hardware. modify it, discover what to modify and experiment while it is running.
In some sense it is like the experience of the old Lisp machines, a
paradigm that we have completely forgotten.
--------------- ---------------
@ -152,8 +151,10 @@ Outside of the core distribution there is a myriad of available
programs for Emacs: [magit][] (the famous git porcelain), text-based programs for Emacs: [magit][] (the famous git porcelain), text-based
[HTTP clients][], even interactive [Kubernetes frontends][k8s]. [HTTP clients][], even interactive [Kubernetes frontends][k8s].
What all of these tools have in common is that they can be What all of these tools have in common is that they use text-based
introspected and composed like everything else in Emacs. user interfaces (UI elements like images are used only sparingly in
Emacs), and that they can be introspected and composed like everything
else in Emacs.
If magit does not expose a git flag I need, it's trivial to add. If I If magit does not expose a git flag I need, it's trivial to add. If I
want a keybinding to jump from a buffer showing me a Kubernetes pod to want a keybinding to jump from a buffer showing me a Kubernetes pod to