> I wish there was an alternative that gave a nod to vim but remained in 'input' mode without loss of capability
Problem is, without modes, we lose capability that comes from the fact that modes exist, such as simple characters being compositeable commands;
How should a non-modal editor know whether that [d] I just pressed is me wanting the letter `d` or the delete command? It can't;
Either I have to somehow tell it "the next letter I press is to be interpreted as a command", or "interpret what I press as commands until I say otherwise". The former gets tiresome rather quickly (what if I have to do several commands?), the latter would again be a modal editor.
Problem is, without modes, we lose capability that comes from the fact that modes exist, such as simple characters being compositeable commands;
How should a non-modal editor know whether that [d] I just pressed is me wanting the letter `d` or the delete command? It can't;
Either I have to somehow tell it "the next letter I press is to be interpreted as a command", or "interpret what I press as commands until I say otherwise". The former gets tiresome rather quickly (what if I have to do several commands?), the latter would again be a modal editor.