How to make Notepad work properly?

R

Robert Macy

There are quite a few frustrating differences between Notepad on Win98
and Notepad on WinXP

Is there any way to fix Notepad?

These two characteristics of Notepad on WinXP cause much frustration:

1) When using word wrap, which is the only way to be able to see long
sentences and paragraphs, realignment to end of paragraph is not
automatic:
a) change size of window and no shift in realignment
b) edit the document with any change to line length and there is no
automatic realignment

To get around this either manually adjust each line, or unWordwrap,
then set wordwrap again to straighten it out. However, that always
puts the cursor at the top of the document, not where you were
editing!

2) If the document is left in word wrap, all the "temporary" wordwrap
cr lf's are placed into the document as if they exist!!

To get around this you have to first unwordwrap, scoop upt [ctrl-c to
put onto the clipboard], then wordwrap to be able to read it.

This last one is a real nuisance, because sometimes the step of unword
wrapping is sometimes forgotten and then the effect is not noticed.

Is there anyway to return Notepad to the more intuitive Win98 version?

Robert
 
F

FrankV

Have you tried WordPad instead of Notepad? WordPad has always had more
capabilities than Notepad.

Frank
 
T

Terry

On 3/30/2007 2:51 PM On a whim, Robert Macy pounded out on the keyboard
There are quite a few frustrating differences between Notepad on Win98
and Notepad on WinXP

Is there any way to fix Notepad?

These two characteristics of Notepad on WinXP cause much frustration:

1) When using word wrap, which is the only way to be able to see long
sentences and paragraphs, realignment to end of paragraph is not
automatic:
a) change size of window and no shift in realignment
b) edit the document with any change to line length and there is no
automatic realignment

To get around this either manually adjust each line, or unWordwrap,
then set wordwrap again to straighten it out. However, that always
puts the cursor at the top of the document, not where you were
editing!

2) If the document is left in word wrap, all the "temporary" wordwrap
cr lf's are placed into the document as if they exist!!

To get around this you have to first unwordwrap, scoop upt [ctrl-c to
put onto the clipboard], then wordwrap to be able to read it.

This last one is a real nuisance, because sometimes the step of unword
wrapping is sometimes forgotten and then the effect is not noticed.

Is there anyway to return Notepad to the more intuitive Win98 version?

Robert

Hi Robert,

I have used NoteTab lite for years. It's an awesome Notepad replacement.
There is also a paid version but the free one is so good you may not
even need it. It will take care of all your ills and more.

http://www.notetab.com/


--
Terry

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R

Robert Macy

Have you tried WordPad instead ofNotepad? WordPad has always had more
capabilities thanNotepad.

Frank

Prefer the larger effective area and simpler operation.

Oddy, Wordpad doesn't have Header or Footer capability, like Notepad.

Robert
 
T

Terry

On 3/31/2007 10:47 PM On a whim, Robert Macy pounded out on the keyboard
Prefer the larger effective area and simpler operation.

Oddy, Wordpad doesn't have Header or Footer capability, like Notepad.

Robert

Did you look at NoteTab Lite like I suggested?

--
Terry

***Reply Note***
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N

Nightowl

I'm puzzled. Notepad on my computer doesn't show either of these
behaviours.

Robert Macy said:
These two characteristics of Notepad on WinXP cause much frustration:

1) When using word wrap, which is the only way to be able to see long
sentences and paragraphs, realignment to end of paragraph is not
automatic:
a) change size of window and no shift in realignment
b) edit the document with any change to line length and there is no
automatic realignment

To get around this either manually adjust each line, or unWordwrap,
then set wordwrap again to straighten it out. However, that always
puts the cursor at the top of the document, not where you were
editing!

2) If the document is left in word wrap, all the "temporary" wordwrap
cr lf's are placed into the document as if they exist!!

To get around this you have to first unwordwrap, scoop upt [ctrl-c to
put onto the clipboard], then wordwrap to be able to read it.
 
R

Robert Macy

Did you look at NoteTab Lite like I suggested?

Yes, it seems to be a great utility, and doesn't have the problem I've
been seeing with Notepad [not automatically reforming to end of
paragraph]

However, the working window is HUGE, the working space is small.

On the plus side, it does remember the size it was closed in, so once
set it always comes back to that size.

Arrrggg! there is no print setup, or margin setting capability, or
print preview.

The program seems to have a lot of 'untapped' functions that could
make it useful once I get used to it. Thanks for sharing.

Robert
 
T

Terry

On 4/3/2007 7:32 AM On a whim, Robert Macy pounded out on the keyboard
Did you look at NoteTab Lite like I suggested?

Yes, it seems to be a great utility, and doesn't have the problem I've
been seeing with Notepad [not automatically reforming to end of
paragraph]

However, the working window is HUGE, the working space is small.

On the plus side, it does remember the size it was closed in, so once
set it always comes back to that size.

Arrrggg! there is no print setup, or margin setting capability, or
print preview.

The program seems to have a lot of 'untapped' functions that could
make it useful once I get used to it. Thanks for sharing.

Robert

No problem. You can remove toolbars, tabs, etc., to make the workspace
larger.

Since it is a notepad and not a wp (and free), print setup, margins,
preview, are all "extras". And isn't that what WYSIWYG is all about ;-)?

Hope it works for you,
--
Terry

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
R

Robert Macy

I'm puzzled.Notepadon my computer doesn't show either of these
behaviours.





These two characteristics ofNotepadon WinXP cause much frustration:
1) When using word wrap, which is the only way to be able to see long
sentences and paragraphs, realignment to end of paragraph is not
automatic:
a) change size of window and no shift in realignment
b) edit the document with any change to line length and there is no
automatic realignment
To get around this either manually adjust each line, or unWordwrap,
then set wordwrap again to straighten it out. However, that always
puts the cursor at the top of the document, not where you were
editing!
2) If the document is left in word wrap, all the "temporary" wordwrap
cr lf's are placed into the document as if they exist!!
To get around this you have to first unwordwrap, scoop upt [ctrl-c to
put onto the clipboard], then wordwrap to be able to read it.

ARRRRGGG!!!!

Just got bit again! I had used Notepad to store a paragraph and a
very long URL. To be able to read the notes, I leave Notepad in
Wordwrap mode. I scooped up the long URL, put it down into Internet
Explorer 6, only to find that the URL was truncated right at the wrap,
as if Notepad had permanently inserted the cr-lf

Is there anyway to return Notepad to the more intuitive Win98
version?

Robert
 

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