Poet Review

I tested this little text-editing utility a while back, and thought I'd post a quick review about it. Poet. Isn't that poetic? Doesn't that convey a sense of fluency that seeps through not only in name but also in design and function? Well, I'm still using Notepad, but if I didn't have Notepad I wouldn't mind using this.

Here's the main interface. A basic menu, basic file operations and shortcuts (like copy and paste) and below that: tabs so you can keep track of multiple texts at once.

The column to the right can provide either references, useful functions (like search and replace) or simply stylization of the text box itself, with line numbers, highlights, etc - or text font and size. Though if you deal with regular text files (which this program is designed for) such formatting is purely for aesthetics while editing; styles don't export.

This is what it's all about!

Removing any menu or interface elements is a piece of cake, if you prefer it truly minimal. Here's without shortcut icons, below without header or footer.

Apart from regular text-based functions, the program features a few nifty tools - like RegEx. If I knew RegEx, this could be really useful! It's like search and replace, but on a level where you're able to replace instances surrounding certain segments of text, or inside certain segments, or based on specific patterns of characters, line-breaks, etc... basically, it's total control!

Here's a tool more inline with the program title: the Rhymer. It lets you search for rhymes within a certain directory of words, and display those based on three simple factors. Problem is, it doesn't actually work very well yet.

Overall, it's a simple and (almost) fully functional text editor, with all the features you probably need and a few more - without the interface getting too messy. The only real con of this program compared to Notepad is: speed. Probably because it is slightly more complex, it doesn't start up quite as fast, but then again even an alternative program like EditPad Lite seems to start up faster, even though it contains a considerable increase in features.

At the moment of writing, I don't need the extra features, but if I do this could become a favorite amongst light-weight text editors. It's not an essential program only for poets, but for anyone who writes. Simple, easy; efficient, and with a catchy title. Just a second too slow to start.