Linus Torvalds Speaks on the the divide between Rust and C Linux developers an the future Linux. Will things like fragmentation among the open source community hurt the Linux Kernel? We’ll listen to the Creator of Linux.

For the full key note, checkout: Keynote: Linus Torvalds in Conversation with Dirk Hohndel

The Register’s summary: Torvalds weighs in on ‘nasty’ Rust vs C for Linux debate

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22 points

On a tangential note, what does Linus used, Vi or Emacs?

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3 points

my money is on vi or vi derivates.

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4 points

If we can believe random strangers in the internet, then Linus uses a self maintained lighter version of Emacs, or has. Looks like Linus is an Emacs guy.

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21 points

He uses a version of Emacs called MicroEmacs.

I recall seeing his MicroEmacs configuration a while back when I was exploring options to start using Emacs.

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4 points

MicroEmacs

In testing, to settle a bet by a rabid cult-of-vi peer, I opened a given set of files in each editor, each a day apart because I couldn’t be arsed to clear caches. This guy, otherwise a prince, was railing about emacs, but otherwise suffered days of waiting.

10/10 the memory usage by his precious vi was same-or-more than emacs.

There’s so many shared libs pulled in by the shell that all the fuddy doomsaying about bloat is now just noise.

I avoid vi because even in 1992 it was crusty and wrong-headed. 30 years on the hard-headed cult and the app haven’t changed.

I don’t see how microEmacs can improve on what we have by default, and I worry that the more niche the product is the harder it will be to find answers online. But I’m willing to be swayed if anyone can pitch its virtues.

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6 points

MicroEmacs was written in 1985 and has nothing to do with GNU Emacs (which people just call Emacs these days). It’s entirely outside of the vi-vs-emacs war.

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6 points

TIL that version appears to be on the AUR: MicroEMACS/PK 4.0.15 customized by Linus Torvalds.

Last updated in 2014, it probably has serious cobwebs now. Even the upstream hasn’t been touched in 6 years.

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