OK, so seriously ...
Why are you Se7en, so adamant about using VIM ??
I do use Notepad++ simply because I still need to exercise my brain in the layout of the code. I enjoy putting the code together by hand rather than cut and paste from other sources. Granted I run into a lot of errors and I feel at times I am not progressing in my learning, but all the same I like writing code.
How would VIM help in the progress and learning of writing code ?? Another words, sell it to me. I am open to finding a better editor than what I am using, but I don't know the value of these other editors yet.
I don't have a lot of time right now but real quick...
Vim allows me to focus on the CODE not the IDE by allowing me:
1. to keep my hands on the keyboard.
2. to use my own compiler(s).
3. to use other external apps like a CVS or SVN.
4. to work on files via FTP, etc.
5. to have control over anything and everything about the editor.
Obviously there is a HUGE learning curve with Vim but i got that time back about 500 times fold so far. I use Vim for developing in Lisp and C. I use Vim for typing reports, notes, etc. everyday. It is integrated by default into all Lnux and Unix OS' (if not Vim then its parent Vi).
Real simply put, there is no editor that is on the same plane as Vim or Emacs. Im not knocking anyone's editor because i know that both Vim and Emacs are very complicated beasts and is just plain over kill for someone just doing lisp the rest of their life but if you ever plan on using another language...take the leap to a real editor. Honestly, if you invest the time into either Vim or Emacs you will never go back. They are light years beyond anything you have ever seen and that is why you will be hard pressed to find anything like a "feature list", like you see for other editors, for either of them.
And im not saying that an editor like UE isnt good either its just that i prefer the way i can "work" (not have to use the keyboard, etc) in Vim; i dont have to work the way my editor wants me to work, i just turn on or off features. For example if i wanted an editor like UE this day, i would just use eVim (easy vim: no normal mode) or how i can turn on or off features based upon the type of file im working on by either using a syntax thing in my setting file, or another syntax thing in the file itself, or with a keyboard macro, or a menu, etc. ...you would have to try Vim to see/know what im talking about but i think you can get an idea.
http://tnerual.eriogerg.free.fr/0xBABAF000L/10_en.html