TheFreeSite.com: Free Software: Free Text Utilities

Odds are, your computer's operating system has a built-in word processor. The only problem is that programs like Windows Notepad are very primitive and lacking in features.
Below, we feature the Web's best free text editors, all of which are vastly more feature-laden and useful than Windows' Notepad. Any of these programs makes for an excellent replacement for Notepad and can help save you time and make you more productive.
Also, if you're using a large, commercial editor like Microsoft's Word, you'll find that the freeware programs below often have many of the same useful features that the big commercial programs do. While they may not have all the bells & whistles (which you likely rarely use anyway), these programs load much quicker and are much easier on your system's resources.
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Yankee Clipper Plus - This helpful free clipboard utility can save you loads of work if you do a lot of repetitive typing. Yankee Clipper remembers the last 100 text entries to the clipboard. It also can save your clips between sessions. You may also make boilerplate/template files with your favorite clips and much more. (For Windows 98/95 and NT).
NotePads+ - Here's an excellent freeware text editor that makes a good replacement for Windows' built-in Notepad editor. Features a multilingual spell checker, as well as E-mail capabilities. (For Windows 98/95/2000 and NT). 3.7 megabytes.
WordTabs 3.21 - Freeware guru Skip Bremer's WordTabs is perhaps the finest general-purpose free word processing program on the Web today. Described as Windows' "Notepad and Wordpad on steroids," WordTabs is packed with every imaginable feature that you could possibly want. Configure it to replace Windows' default text editors and you'll wonder how you lived without this freeware gem. 1.5 megabytes. (For Windows 98/95).
Notespad - An incredibly useful text editing program that replaces Windows' flimsy Notepad text editor. Notespad is a free, full-fledged text editor with tons of wonderful features. You'll wonder how you managed without it! Allows opening of many files simultaneously, bookmarking of favorites, customized colors and fonts, macros, a file editor, lots of right-click goodies and tons more.
TypeItIn - This freeware Windows utility is a godsend for freebie hunters on the Web. It allows you to quickly fill out the endless forms that all freebie hunters routinely encounter. TypeItIn lets you define buttons that will type in any information you want into a Web form. 372 kilobytes. (For Windows 98/95/NT). Note: TypeItIn will not work correctly with AOL's browser.
FreeNote - This handy little freeware application will help you get organized. If your monitor and desk are cluttered with yellow sticky notes, then FreeNote is for you. FreeNote helps you manage memos, "to-do lists," Web links, phone numbers and much more. The program resides in your tray and is always only one click away. (For Windows 98/95). 310 kilobytes.
NoteTab Light - A feature-packed freeware text editor from Switzerland, this program features a tabbed interface that lets you open and edit a virtually unlimited number of documents of any size. There's also an "Editor Clipbook" with templates for HTML tags, smilies, acronyms, etc., as well as management of favorite files and folders and drag & drop support. 1.2 megabytes. (For Windows 98/95 and NT).
Yeah Write - Yeah Write may not have all the bells and whistles of MS Word. But this powerful freeware program has all the useful features you could ask for in a word processor. Yeah Write, which comes in a free version, uses a "fill-in-the-blanks" approach to creating documents. Here's a screen shot. Somewhat clumsy, difficult-to-use interface is this program's only drawback.
Corel WordPerfect 8 (for Linux) - Corel is offering a Linux version of the popular, powerful word processing program, WordPerfect 8, that's free for personal use. Features great charting and drawing features, as well as Web publishing capabilities. 23 megabytes. (For Linux).
Cetus CWordPad - If you use WordPad (Windows' built-in text editor), but wish that it had more features, then CWordPad fits the bill nicely. This free text utility offers everything WordPad does, plus a spell-checker and a thesaurus. It'll handle files with .dox, .rft, .wri and .txt extensions. (For Windows 98/95 and NT4).
- Cetus CWordPad is no longer being formally distributed or supported, but you can still download a copy at this site.
EditPad - Here's a text editing program from Belgium that makes a fine replacement for Windows' flimsy notepad. Although there are similar programs that are more feature-laden, EditPad is a solid, crash-free program that loads quickly. It offers filters, text conversions, access to last 16 files opened, MAPI support (for E-mailing text) and more. Offered in many languages, including Danish, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, etc. "Postcardware." (For Windows.)
TxtPrint - This free program does one thing and does it well: it prints out text files and gives you precise control over the output. The main advantage it has over standard text editors is its ability to divide a page into several rows and columns. Here's a screen shot. (For Windows). Available in English and Swedish versions.
WordWeb - This utility could well help improve your writing skills. WordWeb is a free feature-packed thesaurus/dictionary that can be used from your word processor or as a stand-alone program. View screen shot 4.5 megabytes. (For Windows 98/95 and 3.1).

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