the basics of vim are easy... it's a language to manipulate text with mnemonic shortcuts for the most part and composeable actions.

`daw` is delete around a word(includes the ending space if there).

`ciw` is change inner word.(change the word under the cursor by deleting it and leaving you in insert mode to make changes).

`ci"` is change inside the double quotes.

p is put or paste

d is delete

c is change

f is find

a is insert [a]fter

first answer here[1] is a classic.

1. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1218390/what-is-your-most...