Considering Eclipse is "the most popular" editor around, I don't think the barrier to entry is very high. I used it for over a year before giving up on it as useless. For me, having reliable builds is FAR more important than the editor holding my hand with respect to Java syntax. I swear Eclipse is primarily popular EXACTLY because of the latter, since it can act as a crutch for new and junior developers.

I did use Emacs for several years before moving on to something more ergonomic. I still have muscle memory for several of the more common keystrokes.

I haven't really felt like there's been a Truly Great editor available since Brief, which I stopped using because they never upgraded it from DOS to Windows.

It's not about "getting my head" around something. To the contrary, I am very good at picking up new software and using it, whether it's designed well or not.

It's about having seen what a REALLY powerful editor can do for you, and having other editors never really live up to that standard. SlickEdit is close, and even better in some ways than Brief was, but it's not perfect.

So did you actually understand what I wrote? "Stockholm Syndrome" applies when you've been abducted, and you fall in love with (and defend the actions of) your abductor. I'd say you're not disabusing me of my original notion.