TotalEdit

Download from… http://www.codertools.com

Download size… 5.65MB
Installation size… 12.93MB

It isn’t often I try out a new code editor and get excited. But TotalEdit is doing precisely that.

Let’s see what it’s got…

1. Resizable word wrap
2. Line numbering
3. Ability to easily add multiple browser launch
4. Correctly syntax checks PHP embedded within HTML code
5. Work on a USB stick
6. It’s quick to launch
7. Remembers previously opened files

What isn’t there? Well, there isn’t much else, including plugins. My current editor, Notepad++, has those and I don’t use them. It’s also rather bloated compared to others. But, then again, I’m putting it on an external USB drive where space isn’t an issue.

But, there is ONE issue. It isn’t much but that’s all it takes for a product to go from being the best one to being “nearly there”. Whenever I close the program and restart it the explorer toolbar resets back to the root directory structure. It’s remembered the files I was editing, but not the matching folder structure (and as I have my web development files neatly on a USB drive under lots of sub-folders, this is laborious).

Shame, otherwise I may have been switching editors.

I’m going to contact the authors and see if there’s a solution (I can’t find anything in the preferences)… I’ll wait until I get a reply (or not) before I give this software a final score. My hope is that there is a solution.

27/02/2008 Update
I received a rather speedy reply yesterday from the authors of the software. There is no facility to do what I was after, but they were already looking at modifying the under-used project facilities to do something similar - as in, link the project to a specific folder. The current version was to include this but it didn’t make it in. They’ll hopefully now include it in a later update.

So, I’ll keep an eye out and re-check the program once the update occurs. In the meantime… the software gets 4 (out of 5) stars. So nearly there, but I’m sticking with NotePad++ in the meantime.

As you are probably aware from my various blog entries, I’m a member of a local theatre group. I do as much as I can to help, including creating and running their website (with next to no feedback or comments from either members of committee), designing posters, etc, etc. And I’m happy to do it.

I’ve also been on the committee twice before. Once, looking after the patrons. Then, later, as a Society Representative. Unfortunately, due to illness I resigned from the latter role, stating that it was due to “personal reasons” (I really didn’t feel the need to give exact details!).

Now, the position of Vice President has become free and I’ve put my name forward. On Wednesday night myself and, at least one other person, will present our case and the votes will be cast.

In the past, senior positions on the committee have caused some nastiness from within the society, as people take sides. Except there’s no real need for it and it just causes ill feelings. At least one person fell out the last time this happened and I think it affected others, who have not since been quite so involved as they once were.

You’d think history would teach a lesson, but as nothing was done about it that time, it continues. This time the daggers have come out for me. “Don’t vote for him, when he doesn’t get his way he resigns from the committee,” is how the rumours is going around. In some versions I’ve resigned twice, in others 4 times (an impossibility, as you can only resign once from a position!).

And you know.. it does hurt. People who you regard as friends being spiteful and vindictive behind your back.

So far I’m saying nothing. I’ve written a speech for Wednesday which a friend (who also put forward my nomination for the  role), who also happens to a psychology degree, helped check. In particular, it’s checked to ensure I don’t accidentely make the mistake myself - the speech is about me and why I’m good for the role. It insults no-one and makes no mention of anyone else who is going for the same role.

To be honest, the damage is probably already done towards me. The “rumour” has probably been directed at new members, who won’t know better. The competition was already quite stiff, and I suspect this will have put an end to my chances.

But, as I say, I’m saying nothing unless asked. All I can do now is my best and, even if nobody else wants to, I’m determined there will be at least some integrity remaining from all of this.