'Mother of all editors' Emacs is 50
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By a startling coincidence, so is its arch-rival Vi
The one-panel cartoon
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An old programmer sits in a dimly lit, cluttered room filled with vintage computer monitors, surrounded by posters of Emacs and Vi, both celebrating their 50th birthdays.
Caption: Happy 50th to Emacs and Vi — still arguing over keystrokes.
Read the full 3-panel strip
Based on the original story on theregister.com.
Editor's note
As Emacs celebrates five decades of empowering programmers with its endlessly customizable interface, it's remarkable how both Emacs and its enduring rival, Vi, continue to thrive, each reflecting the enduring appeal of different approaches to software design and user experience. Their longevity speaks to the profound impact of thoughtful, adaptable design in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.
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Read the script
Panel 1
Emacs and Vi are text editors used by software developers, system administrators, and programmers. They are both command-line interfaces that offer extensive customization and power, but they have different philosophies: Emacs is like a kitchen sink with everything you could need, while Vi is minimalistic and focuses on efficiency with fewer features. The fact that Emacs and Vi, two rival text editors, both turned 50 this year highlights the longevity and enduring relevance of these tools despite their stark differences in approach and design philosophy. The contrast between Emacs (the bloated Swiss Army knife) and Vi (the lean, efficient razor) both turning 50 at the same time is a testament to the enduring nature of these tools and the eternal debate they inspire. ---
Panel 2
*Inside a dimly lit, retro office with vintage computer monitors and old keyboards. A programmer in a vintage T-shirt is hunched over an old terminal running Emacs, typing furiously.*
Programmer: Another year, another 50 lines of code...
Panel 3
*Switch to a sleek, modern office with a minimalist desk and a programmer sitting in front of a terminal running Vi, typing efficiently.*
Programmer: Another year, another 50 lines of code...
Panel 4
*Both programmers are in a stark, empty room with two large chalkboards. One programmer is holding up a banner with and the other with . They look at each other, each with a bemused expression.* Both Programmers (simultaneously)
Narrator: Emacs 50
Narrator: Vi 50
Emacs Programmer: Guess we’re both as outdated as a punch card.
Vi Programmer: Or as timeless as a Swiss Army knife.
Both Programmers: Happy birthday to us.
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