Notepad replacement with auto-save function

[Ulrich Neumann]

Hi there,

I am looking for a Notepad replacement which automatically saves all
currently open files at a configurable interval.
So far I have been using Notetab light but I don't like its rather large
memory footprint.

Any ideas?

Cheers,
Ulrich

 

[mike555]

Hi there,

I am looking for a Notepad replacement which automatically saves all
currently open files at a configurable interval.
So far I have been using Notetab light but I don't like its rather large
memory footprint.

Any ideas?

Cheers,
Ulrich

======= I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for, but you
might have a look at... "AutoClip" , it's more of a text saver, like
for highlighted text from a website, but I guess you could use it for
writing text.... it automatically makes a back up when you close it
or if windows crashes ;-)
http://www.rwsoft.co.uk/ =======

 

[ProteanThread]

does it have to be Notepad? iirc, there was a program (actually a hack of
wordpad) that saved only to floppy and auto saved every few minutes or so.
Cetus Worpad is what I think it is called. Haven't tried it yet,
though.

 

[Cathe B]

does it have to be Notepad? iirc, there was a program (actually a hack of
wordpad) that saved only to floppy and auto saved every few minutes or so.
Cetus Worpad is what I think it is called. Haven't tried it yet,
though.

I used Cetus pretty regularly for years, and when I got this machine I'd
forgotten I had it on my old one. I think you can still get it from
moochers.com

C

 

[Mike Moseng]

Hi there,

I am looking for a Notepad replacement which automatically saves all
currently open files at a configurable interval.
So far I have been using Notetab light but I don't like its rather large
memory footprint.

Any ideas?

Cheers,
Ulrich

http://www.editpadlite.com/

 

[Ulrich Neumann]

======= I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for, but you
might have a look at... "AutoClip" , it's more of a text saver, like
for highlighted text from a website, but I guess you could use it for
writing text.... it automatically makes a back up when you close it
or if windows crashes ;-)

Thanks, but it doesn't open already existing .txt files.

Ulrich

 

[Ulrich Neumann]

does it have to be Notepad? iirc, there was a program (actually a hack of
wordpad) that saved only to floppy and auto saved every few minutes or so.
Cetus Worpad is what I think it is called. Haven't tried it yet,
though.

Any text editor will do. Unfortunately, Cetus Wordpad doesn't have an
auto-save function.

Ulrich

 

[Ulrich Neumann]

http://www.editpadlite.com/

Thanks, but it only saves unsaved files when exiting the program, not
when running it. That's a feature in the pro version.

Ulrich

 

[Tim Weaver]

Hi there,

I am looking for a Notepad replacement which automatically saves
all currently open files at a configurable interval.
So far I have been using Notetab light but I don't like its rather
large memory footprint.

The free NoteTab Lite is all the text editor you'll EVER need. And,
if you *do* need more, you can buy the Pro version. But, if you do
need it, you are one hardcore text editing kind of guy.

http://www.notetab.com/

 

[Ulrich Neumann]

The free NoteTab Lite is all the text editor you'll EVER need. And,
if you *do* need more, you can buy the Pro version. But, if you do
need it, you are one hardcore text editing kind of guy.

That's the one I have been using so far but as I said in my original
post I don't like its large memory footprint. It seems I will have to
continue using NoteTab Light despite this drawback.

Ulrich

 

[Brian Pipa]

The free NoteTab Lite is all the text editor you'll EVER need. And,
if you *do* need more, you can buy the Pro version. But, if you do
need it, you are one hardcore text editing kind of guy.

http://www.notetab.com/

Does anyone know how well Notetab handles LARGE text files (like 30+
MB)? I just downloaded and installed Notespad -
http://www.newbie.net/NotesPad/notespad_32.html and it is really great
and it handles large iles with ease.

Thanks,
brian

 

[Tiger]

Does anyone know how well Notetab handles LARGE text files (like
30+ MB)? I just downloaded and installed Notespad -
http://www.newbie.net/NotesPad/notespad_32.html and it is really
great and it handles large iles with ease.

Well, I've never seen a .txt file anywhere close to that size. I have
used notetab to open a 1.5 mb file and it did fine. What would a 30
mb .txt file be? Encyclopedia Brittanica?

 

[Brian Pipa]

Well, I've never seen a .txt file anywhere close to that size. I have
used notetab to open a 1.5 mb file and it did fine. What would a 30
mb .txt file be? Encyclopedia Brittanica?

Weblogic server logs Notepad and Wordpad both choke on them. Notespad
handles them with ease.

Brian

 

[omega]

That's the one I have been using so far but as I said in my original
post I don't like its large memory footprint. It seems I will have to
continue using NoteTab Light despite this drawback.

I'm not going to recommend the very editor you've asked to supplant. :0
Yet I still do want to mention another editor from Fookes. A small-footprint
Notetab created in 1997. It is named Mini-NoteTab. The issue is that it
is only for very small notes. Max file sizes ~40k. I suspect that this
barrier would be a problem for your use, but am checking just in case.

(As to the location of Mini-NoteTab on the web, I am not sure. I haven't
seen it around for several years, but nor have I done a serious search.
The readme says it is freely distributable. If it is wanted, and actually
turns out to be unfindable, then I could zip up a copy and upload.)

As far as other choices, mainly without that filesize limit, I have found
two possible (maybe-possible) candidates. The exe size of each is smaller
than NoteTab's. Yet, as to actual memory use, I am not so sure. I will
gather up their URLs and such, and post their names in a bit.

At the moment, a couple of things I want to check. First, it is definite
that hitting "Save All" on occasion is not adequate? For some reason,
the feature to autosave all files in a tabbed editor appears to be
fairly rare.

Second, in another post, you'd said, "Any text editor will do." This was
during response to a suggestion of Cetus Wordpad. Cetus, besides not
having the autosave-all: it holds only one document at a time. I assumed,
while looking for editors having a feature to "save all documents every x
minutes," that the plural means you'd have no interest in single document
editors. And specifically, I assumed that you'd want a tabbed interface,
as has NoteTab. Correct assumption?

 

[Tiger]

(As to the location of Mini-NoteTab on the web, I am not sure.

Whattayaknow?
http://www.fookes.com/software/mininote.htm

 

[omega]

I am looking for a Notepad replacement which automatically saves all
currently open files at a configurable interval.
So far I have been using Notetab light but I don't like its rather large
memory footprint.

Surprisingly to me, it is not easy to meet this basic request. I looked
through my (many) installed editors for what would meet your criteria.

- tabbed interface
- wordrap (have assumed you need this)
- auto-save-all
- smaller than Notetab

I was only able to come up with two results. The first: Jen's File Editor.
It has a tabbed interface. Wordwrap passes. Your main req, it has that
feature. Settings > Backup > Save All every [x] minutes.

Jen's exe size is not that small, close to a meg. Still, it's smaller
than Notetab's. Resources use seems to be about the same. Memory? Well,
it is a laborious (rebooting, resetting cache) to do that properly. All
I did was measure informally. The quick improper way I did it, I think
the numbers should have slanted in Jen's favor; nevertheless, those
casual numbers, it was Notetab who appeared as if victor. Thus: It is
possible it turn's out that Jen's is heavier, but I don't have the sure
facts either way.

Jen's File Editor
http://omega5.port5.com/clips/eds/jen.png
http://home.t-online.de/home/Jens.Altmann/jfe_eng.htm

You'll see from the description, this has some fancy features. To where
I suppose it'd get categorized as a programmer's editor. You might find
some of those functions of use. But even if not, I don't think their
availability should interfere with more ordinary use of this as a text
editor.

I found Jen's only recently, and haven't yet taken time to play around
with it all that much[*]...

But as go first impressions: I was immediately enthused over a number
of aspects. Even if it turns out too heavy for your own reqs, perhaps
others might test it out. I'd be interested to read any review comments
from folks who might explore this one before I do.


_______
[*] It's one thing to like a program on first sight, but another to
run it for a while. For instance, you'll see from my screenshot that
there is a problem where a long filename in the tab, it doesn't resize.
Or I just haven't learnt that setting. Annoyances - or else good absence
of annoyances - you often only discover that area after running a program
a fair number of times...

 

[omega]

Whattayaknow?
http://www.fookes.com/software/mininote.htm

Ah, heck! I swear it didn't used to be right there like that -- on the
developer's very own site. I surely would not have missed that. Must be
Fookes created that page immediately after I posted.

I do thank you for the link, Tiger. And the speed with which you got
to it just moment's after the page was created.

 

[Ulrich Neumann]

I'm not going to recommend the very editor you've asked to supplant. :0

That's very much appreciated! ;-)

Notetab created in 1997. It is named Mini-NoteTab. The issue is that it
is only for very small notes. Max file sizes ~40k. I suspect that this
barrier would be a problem for your use, but am checking just in case.

Actually this limit might indeed pose a problem. Most of my text files
are below the limit but yet there remain some which aren't...

As far as other choices, mainly without that filesize limit, I have found
two possible (maybe-possible) candidates. The exe size of each is smaller
than NoteTab's. Yet, as to actual memory use, I am not so sure. I will
gather up their URLs and such, and post their names in a bit.

I will comment on the memory use in a reply to your other posting.

At the moment, a couple of things I want to check. First, it is definite
that hitting "Save All" on occasion is not adequate? For some reason,
the feature to autosave all files in a tabbed editor appears to be
fairly rare.

Yes, your assumption is correct. I started looking for an alternative of
MS Notepad after having a couple of crashes and other accidents which
resulted in the loss of some valuable data. A simple "Save All" button
would not have been sufficient in those cases as I would not have had
the chance to properly save my files due to those crashes.

Second, in another post, you'd said, "Any text editor will do." This was
during response to a suggestion of Cetus Wordpad. Cetus, besides not
having the autosave-all: it holds only one document at a time. I assumed,
while looking for editors having a feature to "save all documents every x
minutes," that the plural means you'd have no interest in single document
editors. And specifically, I assumed that you'd want a tabbed interface,
as has NoteTab. Correct assumption?

Again, you are right By saying "Any text editor will do" I was
implying that I didn't mind about which tool should be replaced as long
as it could edit text files and met my other requirements. Whether the
freeware would replace Notepad or Wordpad was not really of interest to
me.

BTW, your analytical skills are excellent! ;-)

 

[Ulrich Neumann]

Surprisingly to me, it is not easy to meet this basic request. I

That's what surprised me as well. It took me ages to find NoteTab Light,
especially in light of the fact that I didn't know about this great
newsgroup and the pricelessware list at that time.

through my (many) installed editors for what would meet your criteria.

- tabbed interface
- wordrap (have assumed you need this)
- auto-save-all
- smaller than Notetab

You have hit it right on the spot!
In addition, here is what I like about NoteTab Light:
- saves which documents were open when closing the program and opens
them at the next start of the program
- searches/replaces in all open documents
- opens UNIX text files properly
- highly configurable

I was only able to come up with two results. The first: Jen's File Editor.

Thanks for that. It's good to know that at least there are alternatives.

[*] It's one thing to like a program on first sight, but another to
run it for a while. For instance, you'll see from my screenshot that
there is a problem where a long filename in the tab, it doesn't resize.

To me that wouldn't be a problem since NoteTab Light does the same and I
usually don't have file names that long.

Regarding the memory usage:
I did a comparison of the three programs in question:
NoteTab Light, Mini NoteTab and Jens File Editor

Just like your comparison, it's not a very formal one but here's what I
did:

Rebooted Windows, ran the first editor, loaded three text files, did a
"pslist -m" [1], closed it, did the same for the remaining two programs.
Then I ran a couple of memory-intensive programs, left them open, ran
all three text editors and again did a "pslist -m".

My results:
First run of pslist:

Name Pid VM WS Priv Priv Pk Faults NonP
Page
NoteTab 860 34252 5164 1336 1348 1799
3 23
MININOTE 1804 25080 3588 1332 1332 1114
2 21
jfe 964 31712 6224 2028 3180 2743
4 26

Second run of pslist:
NoteTab 1348 34252 5612 1360 1360 1905
3 23
MININOTE 1744 25080 3944 1332 1332 1200
2 21
jfe 1324 35032 6872 2068 2704 2460
4 29

Abbreviations:
VM Virtual Memory
WS Working Set
Priv Private Virtual Memory
Priv Pk Private Virtual Memory Peak
Faults Page Faults
NonP Non-Paged Pool
Page Paged Pool

BTW, the Working Set column reports the same values as does the task
manager of Windows 2000/XP.

It seems Mini NoteTab has the lowest memory usage, then NoteTab Light,
then Jens File Editor. I am now contemplating whether I want to
sacrifice the ability to open large text files for 1600 kb less memory
usage (Mini NoteTab vs. NoteTab Light).



[1] pslist: http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/pslist.shtml

 

[omega]

[part2]

Surprisingly to me, it is not easy to meet this basic request. I looked
through my (many) installed editors for what would meet your criteria.

- tabbed interface
- wordrap (have assumed you need this)
- auto-save-all
- smaller than Notetab

I was only able to come up with two results. The first: Jen's File Editor.

After closer analysis, I am now thinking the second candidate I had in mind,
GoldenPen, it will not do.

In looking for what might be lighter than NoteTab, I'd narrowed my search
down to editors with a smaller exe size. This second one that got tagged
for possible qualification, it was a trick. Its executable is distributed
compressed (as per typical). The distributed size is 588k, but the actual
(UPX -d) size is 1,800k.

As to memory load. Again, I did not test properly. Casual number: a 15mb
drop. Where I got discouraged was in the resources drop. True that my
active environment at the moment, particular the open browser windows,
fuzz up the makings of solid report, but I can still say the resource
use is high. The range that is hitting me: a 12-18% drop. For those of
us on w98, we'd have to be en guarde with this editor.

GoldenPen summary. It meets the one part of your criteria, the feature
to auto-save open documents. Yet I now suspect it has not a smaller, but
a larger footprint, over NoteTab.

Since I've already gathered together its basic info, I'll proceed with it.
Perhaps someone who has lots of RAM and resources wants to try it. I can
say that the main aspect where it looked interesting in my view, that's
in its various block features. Not just cutting columns and so forth, but
several other, more unusual tricks (I'll leave it for the curious to poke
around for further investigation in that area).

Golden Pen Editor
http://www.geocities.com/midweststudio/
http://www.geocities.com/midweststudio/GoldenPen.zip (593k)
http://omega5.port5.com/clips/eds/gpen/gpen.htm (three screenshots)

On the author's site, you might spot out that there is another download
available, for one called GoldenPen Light. I definitely do not think it
is worth bothering with. It is SDI (no tabs), lacks a context menu, and
as to features, there basically aren't any.

Also want to mention there is a previous version around, v1.4, which has
dual-pane browser preview. Where the top pane is the html source, and the
lower pane for browser view. Using MSHTML. He removed this in v1.5. Other
differences between the two versions, I've not really studied, but they
are listed on the site. If anyone were to have interest in GPen v 1.4,
it is available elsewhere on the web. I think that both the zip links
below are for that version.

http://www.sover.net/~wysiwygx/Text.html
http://sunsite.rediris.es/mirror/winsite/win95/txtutil/goldenpen.zip

http://www.mofunzone.com/downloadsoftware/500000034233.shtml
ftp://winsite.teleglobe.net/winsite/pc/win95/txtutil/goldenpen.zip