Geek Speak – Simple But Versatile: Why I Love TextEdit
by Daniel
I use plenty of software programs for my various projects (Photoshop, Garageband, Make My Video), but there is one I use that is as versatile as it is simple: TextEdit.
Similar to NotePad (or whatever) for my Windows pals, TextEdit is a simple text program, but I use it all the time. The only piece of software I use more, perhaps, is Firefox (Chrome lovers: I can’t run it on my current machine).
Most often, I use a new TextEdit file as a copy/paste dumping ground. Links. Text. Code. They all end up there, and it comes in handy when I have to copy and paste multiple items. If I need non-formatted text (‘plain text’), TextEdit is open again. Microsoft Word adds formatting to text when it is copy/pasted.
I do most of my Internet writing in TextEdit. My iBook is so old and outdated that I’m surprised it doesn’t require a hand crank to start. I type too fast for certain browser applications to keep up while working with Rich Text (mainly WordPress). Yes, I can use HTML view in WordPress, but I like having a back-up of posts when I can, and thus TextEdit comes to the rescue. I can type away, and not have to worry about a browser lagging behind (which is super-frustrating).
I keep a few TextEdit documents on my desktop: Blog Ideas, Website Updates, and those with HTML code for certain sites (like our bylines for this site, or my copyright info for Flickr). I try to do all of my website updates at once, so keeping a running tally during the week in TextEdit is handy—because then I have my task list. The Blog Ideas file is always a good idea, because inspiration is a like a deadbeat house guest—it comes and goes as it pleases.
Speaking of websites, when it comes to tweaking HTML or CSS, TextEdit is my co-pilot. Actually, TextEdit is more like the whole damn plane. I copy and paste the original code into a new document before I make any changes. That way, if I screw up (which usually happens), I just paste the old code back. Easy.
It never fails to amaze me how some of the simple things are the most powerful. Like how I said a notebook is a must have. It is just paper, but being able to write down ideas or thoughts or sketch on a whim, is invaluable. I will be using TextEdit and my notebook quite a bit during the Clarion Write-a-Thon, which starts this weekend. (Please pledge me if you can)
Thank you, TexEdit. Your text might be plain, but you are rich with versatility.
Is there a simple program, or tool, you use a lot?
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Daniel J. Hogan likes TextEdit so much, he thought about buying the company in a curry-induced dream. Speaking of crazy dreams, check out his webcomic and humor blog, Clattertron. Follow him on Twitter, @danieljhogan.
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I found you through a search for “I love textedit”.
Seriously, it’s great. I use it all the time.
A nice feature it has is the autosave and stability, which is much better than hoping there won’t be a glitch when you’re typing something on to a webpage form. So I type in textedit, then I paste it where I need it.
Also, I have some pretty fancy project management software, but I find it works better to just plan out what I want to do in textedit.
Or, when I’m researching something, or reading something for work, I jot down my ideas to come back to later — textedit serves as an extension of my short term memory (which isn’t so great).
Oh, you really should just get yourself a new laptop. An ibook works, I’m sure, but it will feel so much nicer to have things working crisply.
Ok, now enough distracting myself, and back to some real work.
Thanks! It is a great little program. I started using it while editing a novel recently–I keep notes in TextEdit, but the novel in Word (keep meaning to move to Open Office). That way I can Command+Tab between the two for quick copy/paste or reference.