:help mysyntaxfile Personally, I don't bother with that stuff, and just edit the default global syntax files directly (they're owned by me, not root). I know I shouldn't do that; however, because I tend not to trust dpkg, I compile & install vim myself (into /usr/local/), and therefore don't have to worry about arrogant package programs screwing me up.
BTW, I'm disappointed with vim's default syntax files (specif., C and Java, although Perl's is actually pretty good); does anyone have or know where I could find better ones instead of having to hack them myself? This is not entirely relevant, but I just thought of something: a vi quine. I've got `2i2i', but that leaves off the esc -- it would take a lot of fumbling around with ^V's and ^['s to get it right, but it must be possible....
