persistence of memory

[ilanarama]

I've started doing the NCAR telecommuting work, which requires me to login from a telnet-type window (ssh) to the Unix machines up there. I haven't used Unix in over 4 years, but it's amusing and amazing to me that I somehow subconsciously remember things. My fingers remember vi and elm even if my brain doesn't; if I think "how do I get to the end of the line?" I can't remember, but if I just want to get to the end of the line, my fingers type '$' and I'm there.

Comments

[waider.livejournal.com]

Muscle memory is a curious thing.

Coupla years back, when I was driving across the Liffey to work, I'd get to this one intersection in third gear, and change down as I came to the traffic signals. One day, I got a good run of traffic and approached the intersection in fourth, and spent several seconds waving my hand around in the empty space where the stick would have been had I been in third gear before realising why I couldn't find it.

Also, I had friends in college who couldn't tell you their PIN for the ATM, but could certainly key it in if presented with a number pad.

I have a great memory, but...

[abraxas13.livejournal.com]

To me, UNIX is the most eminently forgettable language ever. Even muscle memory doesn't help... So needless to say, I'm super impressed!