External RTF editors
Posted by sub
on 1/5/2005
sub
1/5/2005 8:19 am
(this message had been posted earlier as #2429 but its content got lost due to a bad connection)
RTF editing features have been repeatedly mentioned as a preference factor when choosing an outliner/knowledge manager. I personally find the editing capabilities of the programs I use quite basic, but sufficient for my needs, as I prefer to work on text and formatting in two discrete stages. I use Word or DTP software for the latter.
Another approach is to use a dedicated editor for RTF. In theory, it should be possible for our outlining software to support the use of an external editor, the same way that Outlook Express can call Word to edit e-mail messages. In any case, for long documents at least it does make sense to export, edit/format and reimport the final version.
I've tried two freeware RTF editors that I can suggest; the most basic is Cwordpad ( http://www.cetussoft.com/cwordpad.htm ) while the more advanced is TextShield ( http://members.lycos.nl/textshield/ ).
alx
RTF editing features have been repeatedly mentioned as a preference factor when choosing an outliner/knowledge manager. I personally find the editing capabilities of the programs I use quite basic, but sufficient for my needs, as I prefer to work on text and formatting in two discrete stages. I use Word or DTP software for the latter.
Another approach is to use a dedicated editor for RTF. In theory, it should be possible for our outlining software to support the use of an external editor, the same way that Outlook Express can call Word to edit e-mail messages. In any case, for long documents at least it does make sense to export, edit/format and reimport the final version.
I've tried two freeware RTF editors that I can suggest; the most basic is Cwordpad ( http://www.cetussoft.com/cwordpad.htm ) while the more advanced is TextShield ( http://members.lycos.nl/textshield/ ).
alx
stephenz
1/5/2005 9:54 am
I want two things in my information manager's editor:
1. The ability to compose text with a minimum of thought about the editor itself. This means being able to do swift block edits as I restructure my writing as my thoughts gel through the process of composing. This is why extended selection is important to me.
2. The ability to visually emphasize portions of text that are of particular importance.
I will gladly export my finished composition to a word processor or desktop publishing application for the formatting that allows the world to experience my brilliance! Or not.
Alex, if I understand your point, it sounds as if you are suggesting that I should be able to do the composing I mention under #1 in a dedicated word processor, then port the notes/ideas into my information manager. That would be a nice feature to have. As currently available, however, it requires too much extra effort. You have to open your text processor, do your writing, save the file (just in case the export to the PIM doesn't go as hoped), do the export, then delete the original RTF file so you don't end up with redundant information clogging your hard drive. If this process were as seamless as the way in which Outlook uses Word to edit e-mails, then, as you say, it would be quite handy.
Currently, the only PIM I'm aware of with this feature is Literary Machine, which allows you to choose a dedicated text editor which can open automatically when you want to edit a note and then ports the text back into your LM note. It works pretty well, but you lose any formatting you may have used, as LM only works with plain text. And its other quirks make LM fairly useless for my PIM needs.
By the way, there's a nifty free RTF editor called Jarte (www.jarte.com), that you might want to check out. Its interface may be a little too cute for some of you, but it actually is fairly innovative in allowing alternative access to its functions. I like it because of its mult-document ability, accessible through tabs. It also resides nicely in your system task bar, just waiting to be used, and has a crude clip manager.
Steve Z.
1. The ability to compose text with a minimum of thought about the editor itself. This means being able to do swift block edits as I restructure my writing as my thoughts gel through the process of composing. This is why extended selection is important to me.
2. The ability to visually emphasize portions of text that are of particular importance.
I will gladly export my finished composition to a word processor or desktop publishing application for the formatting that allows the world to experience my brilliance! Or not.
Alex, if I understand your point, it sounds as if you are suggesting that I should be able to do the composing I mention under #1 in a dedicated word processor, then port the notes/ideas into my information manager. That would be a nice feature to have. As currently available, however, it requires too much extra effort. You have to open your text processor, do your writing, save the file (just in case the export to the PIM doesn't go as hoped), do the export, then delete the original RTF file so you don't end up with redundant information clogging your hard drive. If this process were as seamless as the way in which Outlook uses Word to edit e-mails, then, as you say, it would be quite handy.
Currently, the only PIM I'm aware of with this feature is Literary Machine, which allows you to choose a dedicated text editor which can open automatically when you want to edit a note and then ports the text back into your LM note. It works pretty well, but you lose any formatting you may have used, as LM only works with plain text. And its other quirks make LM fairly useless for my PIM needs.
By the way, there's a nifty free RTF editor called Jarte (www.jarte.com), that you might want to check out. Its interface may be a little too cute for some of you, but it actually is fairly innovative in allowing alternative access to its functions. I like it because of its mult-document ability, accessible through tabs. It also resides nicely in your system task bar, just waiting to be used, and has a crude clip manager.
Steve Z.