---
title: Taming a Supercar
teaser:
tags: design,vim
author: Phil LaPier
published_on: 2011-05-20
---

I recently switched to [MacVim](http://code.google.com/p/macvim/) for front-end
development. Coming from Panic Software's Coda, I was feeling extremely limited
by my text editors capabilities. Two weeks into Vim, this designer has
discovered the following:

Textmate/Coda/etc. are like the automatic transmission Volkswagen Jetta of text
editors. The VW Jetta has just enough horsepower for daily tasks, some
flexibility, but most of all it's easy enough for most drivers to jump into and
drive away.

Vim is like the manual transmission Lamborghini Aventador—the pinnacle of
supercars. You can't just jump into the Aventador and drive away, you have to
learn how to control the 700hp, 6.5 liter V12 engine—quite a powerful beast.
Learn the intricacies of the clutch, get used to the touch sensitive
carbon-ceramic brakes. The tight steering and low suspension are a hell of a
change from a VW Jetta.

I've been lucky to have expert Vim users around to teach me tips, tricks, and
share their general knowledge on its power.

Have you tamed a supercar?

![Lamborghini Aventador](http://images.thoughtbot.com/ui/2011LamborghiniAventador.jpg)