What about of future improvements, features, versions...?
vladimir
Future version
Moderators: AmigoJack, bbadmin, helios, Bob Hansen, MudGuard
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Peter
Re: Future version
As I'm sure others have done, I've sent that same question off to Helios Sofware. They responded saying they don't divulge information about future releases of the software, but that they are constantly working on development.
Many of us are waiting for the next release. It's been a long while.
Many of us are waiting for the next release. It's been a long while.
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Juan
Re: Future version
I don't think there is going to be another release. Helios is spending their time (and making more money) on other development projects. They used to have a release every 3 to 6 months and now it's been almost a year. So, don't hold your breath. Personally, I looking for a replacement for TextPad.
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Stephan
Re: Future version
That doesn't sound too terribly optimistic. But I'm afraid that you may be right.
Whatever the future of TextPad will be: Have you already found any?
Replacements, I mean.
Cheers
Stephan
Whatever the future of TextPad will be: Have you already found any?
Replacements, I mean.
Cheers
Stephan
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Steve Hodgson
Re: Future version
I'm not sure why one would need to replace TextPad at this point in time. Apart from a few features that some users might require, it is far from broke. I agree though that it would comforting to know that new features will be added. It seems a little extreme to replace an application purely on the grounds that it is not updated - replace it when it doesn't work.
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Vladimir Votiakov
Re: Future version
In my opinion, Textpad is an impressive example of high quality interface and
operational fluidity. It is very hard to find any replacement for it.
I have tested multiple text editors having many features lacking in
Textpad (sophisticated project management, scripting,..) but I have been
extremely disappointed by multiple interface imperfections and ergonomic weakness.
vladimir
operational fluidity. It is very hard to find any replacement for it.
I have tested multiple text editors having many features lacking in
Textpad (sophisticated project management, scripting,..) but I have been
extremely disappointed by multiple interface imperfections and ergonomic weakness.
vladimir
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Simon Mikkelsen
Re: Future version
I agree that it might look like there isn't comming a new version af TextPad.
I've testet a lot of editors, but none that's better than TextPad. I had really hoped UltraEdit's code completion would be good, but it isn't. It always suggest the same (long) list of posible words, and your variables. That's maby 10% of the function of a "real" code completion, that only suggest what's correct acording to syntax.
A couple of years ago I looked at Emacs for Windows - it can do everything and a bit more, but its a huge editor, and it requires years of usage before your know it good enough.
Maby a general purpose editor can't be made mouch better than TextPad, and not turn into a huge development project with special modules for every programming language. If we leave out of account the code completion, it's only stuff like editable macros TextPad lacks.
If Helios have stoped the development of TextPad, it would be a very good gesture to make it Open Source, or sell it to somebody that would develop it further.
I've testet a lot of editors, but none that's better than TextPad. I had really hoped UltraEdit's code completion would be good, but it isn't. It always suggest the same (long) list of posible words, and your variables. That's maby 10% of the function of a "real" code completion, that only suggest what's correct acording to syntax.
A couple of years ago I looked at Emacs for Windows - it can do everything and a bit more, but its a huge editor, and it requires years of usage before your know it good enough.
Maby a general purpose editor can't be made mouch better than TextPad, and not turn into a huge development project with special modules for every programming language. If we leave out of account the code completion, it's only stuff like editable macros TextPad lacks.
If Helios have stoped the development of TextPad, it would be a very good gesture to make it Open Source, or sell it to somebody that would develop it further.
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Simon Mikkelsen
Re: Future version
I just found http://www.slickedit.com/ , witch is the editor that's closest to be able to replace my TextPad. The code completion isn't good enough to me, it mouch slower and mouch more expensive than TextPad - so for the time my TextPad isn't replaced this time.
But in 1½ year when I have finished my education, hopefully got a job, and can afford a faster computer and more expensive editor, I will take a look at Visual Slick Edit one more time.
PS. Helios: Please don't stop the development of TextPad. Right now it's the best, but it will now stay the best for ever if it isn't improved.
But in 1½ year when I have finished my education, hopefully got a job, and can afford a faster computer and more expensive editor, I will take a look at Visual Slick Edit one more time.
PS. Helios: Please don't stop the development of TextPad. Right now it's the best, but it will now stay the best for ever if it isn't improved.
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reinhard
Re: Future version
you are right. This program does quit well for people who are blind. this program works quite well with text to speech pages such as jaws for windows. I think if this app is dropped, IO hope the source is maid open source.
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Alan Bellows
Re: Future version
I agree with these sentiments... while TextPad is currently very good, quite possibly the best text editor there is for Windows, it is growing stagnant. There are a large number of features that would make TextPad even more useful while maintaining the language-independence it currently enjoys. A few examples:
-Editable macros
-Bold/italic/underline abilities in the syntax highlighting
-Ability to change bgcolor for the active line
-Dockable Command & Search results
Any other big ones I'm not thinking of? I leave out auto-complete since that is getting into language-specific applications, but it could still be accomplished by having a set of regular expressions attached to each document class.
First things first... all you freeloaders who have been using a trial version of TextPad for the past three years, pony up the dough and pay for it! It's only $27. Just remember that Helios is a business trying to make money, so they'll put their time into whatever brings in the cash.
Incidentally, one editor that is ALMOST as good as TextPad, and has some rudimentary auto-completion, is Code Genie (http://www.code-genie.com).
Alan Bellows
-Editable macros
-Bold/italic/underline abilities in the syntax highlighting
-Ability to change bgcolor for the active line
-Dockable Command & Search results
Any other big ones I'm not thinking of? I leave out auto-complete since that is getting into language-specific applications, but it could still be accomplished by having a set of regular expressions attached to each document class.
First things first... all you freeloaders who have been using a trial version of TextPad for the past three years, pony up the dough and pay for it! It's only $27. Just remember that Helios is a business trying to make money, so they'll put their time into whatever brings in the cash.
Incidentally, one editor that is ALMOST as good as TextPad, and has some rudimentary auto-completion, is Code Genie (http://www.code-genie.com).
Alan Bellows
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Jeff Epstein
Re: Future version
I'm one of the biggest fans of TextPad in the world (Roy! Back me up here!), although I've been pretty quiet of late in these forums.
I don't personally see a need to switch editors (until one *obviously* takes it over in terms of features, usability, stability, speed and efficiency...that seems like a long time coming), and I've been using TextPad practically every day for at least four years.
But, I find it so frustrating at how non-existant Helios' employees are in giving us some clue as to the future of our beloved TextPad. Keith and Heidi-Marie were extremely responsive during the beta testing of version 4 (as I presume they would be in all future betas, too), and I don't mean to knock you guys personally...
There are so many rabid fans here waiting and waiting and waiting (and waiting). On July 30, it'll be THREE years since four-point-oh was released, and one year since the last upgrade was released (4.5).
The ideal is for Helios employees to become an active part of these forums, learning from us about what we want in the program, and teaching us about priorities in making a program. However, there's gotta be a middle-ground between the everything we want and the nothing we're getting.
(On the other hand, just having these user forums at all was something that I pushed very hard for, and just having an outlet for peer discussion at all is a huge step up.)
But, c'mon! A bread crumb! At least tell us that TextPad is not forever going to linger in version four. I know it's a bad idea to commit to a specific timeline, but perhaps divulging a taste of what is already done, what will most likely be part of the new version, what needs to be done before alpha--even if it's years away--is something we can go home and at least have our textual fantasies with :' )
One last thing. I'll speak at least a little with my wallet. I commit to purchasing two full-price TextPad licenses when five-point-oh is released, instead of just paying the upgrade fee. Of course, if you triple the price, I get to rethink this commitment :' )
Enough babbling. Back to using TextPad.
:' )
Jeffy
http://www.jeffyjeffy.com/textpad
I don't personally see a need to switch editors (until one *obviously* takes it over in terms of features, usability, stability, speed and efficiency...that seems like a long time coming), and I've been using TextPad practically every day for at least four years.
But, I find it so frustrating at how non-existant Helios' employees are in giving us some clue as to the future of our beloved TextPad. Keith and Heidi-Marie were extremely responsive during the beta testing of version 4 (as I presume they would be in all future betas, too), and I don't mean to knock you guys personally...
There are so many rabid fans here waiting and waiting and waiting (and waiting). On July 30, it'll be THREE years since four-point-oh was released, and one year since the last upgrade was released (4.5).
The ideal is for Helios employees to become an active part of these forums, learning from us about what we want in the program, and teaching us about priorities in making a program. However, there's gotta be a middle-ground between the everything we want and the nothing we're getting.
(On the other hand, just having these user forums at all was something that I pushed very hard for, and just having an outlet for peer discussion at all is a huge step up.)
But, c'mon! A bread crumb! At least tell us that TextPad is not forever going to linger in version four. I know it's a bad idea to commit to a specific timeline, but perhaps divulging a taste of what is already done, what will most likely be part of the new version, what needs to be done before alpha--even if it's years away--is something we can go home and at least have our textual fantasies with :' )
One last thing. I'll speak at least a little with my wallet. I commit to purchasing two full-price TextPad licenses when five-point-oh is released, instead of just paying the upgrade fee. Of course, if you triple the price, I get to rethink this commitment :' )
Enough babbling. Back to using TextPad.
:' )
Jeffy
http://www.jeffyjeffy.com/textpad
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Stephan
Re: Future version
Jeff,
> However, there's gotta be a middle-ground between the everything
> we want and the nothing we're getting.
...that's extremely well spoken, er, typed (Did you do it TextPad
).
> But, c'mon! A bread crumb!
I really second that wish, I do.
> At least tell us that TextPad is not
> forever going to linger in version four.
Please do so.
Cheers,
Stephan
> However, there's gotta be a middle-ground between the everything
> we want and the nothing we're getting.
...that's extremely well spoken, er, typed (Did you do it TextPad
). > But, c'mon! A bread crumb!
I really second that wish, I do.
> At least tell us that TextPad is not
> forever going to linger in version four.
Please do so.
Cheers,
Stephan
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ed
Re: Future version
Or if it's not going to be developed further, then open up the source code and let us do it. We bought a site license but have yet to see one suggestion or bug fix go in.
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Simon Mikkelsen
Re: Future version
Hornestly I don't think TextPad goes open source, but i hope it does.
Even if TextPad dosn't pull home cash enough to justify a development, it must give some money, and Helios will throw them away if they make TextPad open source.
But if the development really have stoped (witch I guess it have) it would be nice if they would tell us - it's pretty bad that they really dosn't say anything.
Even if TextPad dosn't pull home cash enough to justify a development, it must give some money, and Helios will throw them away if they make TextPad open source.
But if the development really have stoped (witch I guess it have) it would be nice if they would tell us - it's pretty bad that they really dosn't say anything.
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Rich
Re: Future version
You guys must be JOKING.
Making Textpad opensource would be the fastest way to kill it. See Netscape/Mozilla. A whole bunch of "programmers" getting personal ego kicks out of amazing, but unwanted and often reliable code does not make for high quality software. Textpad needs to keep its vision, through concerted, managed and planned development cycles.
I prefer a stale but reliable but program to a jazzy but crash-prone program anyday.
I fo think that Helios should sell Textpad if they're not going to develop it further, though.
Incidentally, the major problem (imho) with textpad is that it works forever without having been licenced. I mean, come on, not many people are so altruistic that they pay for it because its worth the money (I, however, do). So Helios makes a great program, gives it away and stops development because the revenue doesn't justify the expense.
>Or if it's not going to be developed further, then open up the source code and let
>us do it. We bought a site license but have yet to see one suggestion or bug fix
>go
Making Textpad opensource would be the fastest way to kill it. See Netscape/Mozilla. A whole bunch of "programmers" getting personal ego kicks out of amazing, but unwanted and often reliable code does not make for high quality software. Textpad needs to keep its vision, through concerted, managed and planned development cycles.
I prefer a stale but reliable but program to a jazzy but crash-prone program anyday.
I fo think that Helios should sell Textpad if they're not going to develop it further, though.
Incidentally, the major problem (imho) with textpad is that it works forever without having been licenced. I mean, come on, not many people are so altruistic that they pay for it because its worth the money (I, however, do). So Helios makes a great program, gives it away and stops development because the revenue doesn't justify the expense.
>Or if it's not going to be developed further, then open up the source code and let
>us do it. We bought a site license but have yet to see one suggestion or bug fix
>go