I'm new. I'm new to vi and new to development. My first experience with vi was terrifying. I was configuring a server file with the assistance of a friend over IRC and was dropped into vi and have felt better in a car doing 360s on the highway in bad weather. After completing the server configuration, I resolved to learn Vim. I am grateful to Arnold Robbins, Elbert Hannah & Linda Lamb for producing such an accessible work. Since it is a reference book, "Learning the vi and Vim Editors, 7th Edition" has a broad spectrum of information. The portions for beginners are clear, straightforward and accessible.
I found the sheer volume of commands overwhelming for a straight readthrough of the book. I did try to take in as much as I could but then found that I was unable to retain what I had read. So I choose a different approach and decided to take my time. The book sits at my elbow and as I work I use the index or appendix to locate the section or command that I require. The simple ones are becoming easier and I take time to investigate new sections when I have the inclination.
My intent is not to do battle in the editor wars. There are much more worthy competitors than I. My goal was and is to understand the structure of the editor and work with the different modes that place vi in a category that is different from many editors such as gEdit. I don't know all the commands available in Vim, but I know that commands are possible. I haven't memorized all the different ways of inserting, substituting, and adding text, but I know there are options. Two of my early favourite commands are :e! (which takes you back to the last saved version of the file) and 'u', in command mode (which is the vi form of 'undo').
There is a spell check feature available with Vim version 7 and I look forward to reading more about this feature and its commands in the Eighth Edition of this book because unfortunately it is not covered in this volume. Also, I noticed at a friend's behest, there is no section discussing dvorak keyboards interfacing with vi. I am a querty myself but I am told that vi commands behave oddly when directed from dvorak and perhaps this is worthy of study in subsequent editions.
There are sections I haven't read yet and I might never read, the portions on nvi and Elvis haven't seemed applicable to me, so I may just pass on them. The book is valuable as a source for my level, which I would say is an experienced beginner. While there will be enhancements to new versions of vi and Vim, the basic commands will remain the same. Since vi is available with all versions of *nix, I am confident that what I am learning is universally useful and that is worth my effort.
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