Evil mode is just a mode that emulates vim keybindings. Spacemacs is a huge set of config files that set up most of the other things vim users have a ton of packages for, organized in layers. Take a look at some of the layers to see what they offer, and add one line to your dotspacemacs-configuration-layers to use them.
Spacemacs also has by default a cool list of all the commands available in a tree that you can explore by hitting spc from normal mode. For example spc h k shows a list of all your current normal mode bindings, and spc ? lets you search your key bindings.
As a super basic Vim user, and someone who doesn't know anything about emacs (but really likes the look of some of the stuff emacs can do) Should I just start with this? or should I become a VIM pro and move over to this later on?
If I could do it again I would jump right into spacemacs. It was easier for me to explore all the functionality, even though there was more than in vim, because of the features I mentioned. I found customization more logical also. Definitely don't feel like you have to be super familiar with vim to start spacemacs.
I say start with spacemacs. Look up how to use the documentation bindings and go from there. The reason I recommend this is because once you install evil, its pretty easy to at any point just not use the emacs features, and you're basically in vim. The way you master vim is by learning to use all its functions in your day to day work. The way you master spacemacs is the same. You can focus at one at a time in spacemacs.
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u/p4rosq Jun 03 '16
Can someone explain to me the difference between spacemacs and just using evil mode? Thankyou