If I'm on a *nix box, it's emacs. If that's not available, I use vi. On Win*, I use TextPad. If it's a very short script, I'll use cat or notepad. You say you are not looking for an editor holy war, but your post is full of comparisons between /vim?/ and emacs. What exactly are you looking for here? Work with whatever makes you the most productive and happy, I say. Don't worry about what others use, except from a curiosity standpoint.