If you’re a Vim user, then you’ll want to check out version 7. This latest release includes built-in spell checking, extended auto-completion, undo branches, buffer tabs (and more), replacing most of the plugins used by long-time VIers.

A few tips …

Want to load a set of files into tabs?

$ gvim -p *php *txt &

Want to revert the current file to an earlier or later version?

:earlier 25m
:later 20m

Want to see the list of undo points?

:undolist

Want to turn on omni-completion (and all file type detection)? Omni completion defaults to ctrl-X, ctrl-O to list completion possibilities (tip to make it behave more like Visual Studio).

:filetype plugin on

Other handy, new features:

:sort
:vimgrep (instead of using your shell's grep)

Never heard of Vim? Try reading Vim, explained in 6k. Also check out The best-of Vim tips for many handy bits of Vim learning.

And why do I still use Vim? I can use it anywhere, with or without a UI. I use other editors, of course, but VI is my default.