Notice: "Text Editor" means text, not code.
So I was writing a blog for Rangeforce and was looking for a markdown editor. From the depths of Arch Linuxes application repository came Abricotine (the name is the only thing I don't like). As soon as I opened my document I realized the author of this app had really made an effort.
Why is it so good? Let's start with the obvious
Markdown
...is awesome. I suppose it's something only a tech person would understand. Too bad though, because markdown has so many benefits:
- Not a file format, but a syntax. So it can be used anywhere.
- Easy to understand and clear.
- Write once read anywhere. Even if it's not compiled into rich-text.
- Small file size. Save it, send it by email, whatever, it stays small.
- Transparency of formatting. Changing complex formatting is never a problem, because you can see it clearly. Unlike the "straight to HTML" aproach of Microsoft Word or other editors.
When I discovered markdown I had the typical "this is definitely the future, there is no way around it. Hear the word puny people, see the future!" moment. Today I'm not optimistic at all about it taking over the world. Though I think it would make things easier.
Hybrid preview
Oh my god I love my text while writing...
It just looks good. It doesn't remove any markdown, but formats it in a way I can comprehend so well. It's markdown with a preview in one, but done right. This has been tried before, haven't seen it done well until now.
There is also an export HTML feature, but that looks like dog puke. Don't even try it.
Sublime Text like editing
Once you try Sublime you can't shake off the notion that it's features should be in every editor ever. Shit like multicursor support:
And surrounding selection with brackets or quotes:
This stuff is just mandatory wherever you write and Abricotine has it all!
Extra features
You know how you can jump from word to word by pressing ctrl + left/right? Well in Abricotine you can jump from paragraph to paragraph with ctrl + up/down.
Not impressed? Is it really just developers that believe in shortcuts? How about a handy shortcut for tables?
No? Well then you're not a Markdown person and we'll just have to accept our differences.
Over the top sexy checkbox editing!
Okay whatever, I'm done. I get that Markdown isn't for everyone, but if it is this is the best editor I've seen in a long time.