The first thing I do on a new system is map my Caps Lock key to Escape[1][2][3] so that I can use Vim conveniently without having to reach the physical Escape key placed awkwardly at the corner of the keyboard.
The choice of Escape key to return to normal mode and H, J, K, L for navigation makes total sense if we look at the original Lear Siegler ADM-3A terminal[4] that Bill Joy used while creating vi, but in the modern day keyboard, the choice of Escape key to return to normal mode really disturbs the otherwise fine ergonomics of using Vim.
The choice of Escape key to return to normal mode and H, J, K, L for navigation makes total sense if we look at the original Lear Siegler ADM-3A terminal[4] that Bill Joy used while creating vi, but in the modern day keyboard, the choice of Escape key to return to normal mode really disturbs the otherwise fine ergonomics of using Vim.
[1]: https://github.com/susam/uncap#uncap
[2]: http://vim.wikia.com/wiki/Map_caps_lock_to_escape_in_Windows...
[3]: http://vim.wikia.com/wiki/Map_caps_lock_to_escape_in_XWindow...
[4]: https://vintagecomputer.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/LSI-AD...