Mark My Words

Sure enough programming requires heavy documentation, a lot of practice, and a great deal of attention. However, programming can also mean bypassing specific rules, or creating different types of content through regular means. For instance, markdown is a method of creating rich text files from plain text, and with Mark My Words you can monitor these files for changes.

It’s a good idea to check whether or not .NET Framework is already on your computer before installing the application. There is, however, a high chance it’s already a part of your PC, because it’s a default feature in modern Windows iterations.

The application’s core function is to keep an eye on a specific markdown file and provide almost real time updating preview of changes. Needless to say that you need to target a markdown file, which is under the MK format. However, the application can also handle TXT and RTF files, considering the core file type is a RTF file built in TXT.

You need to rely on the browse dialog to load the file of interest, because dropping it over the main window has no effect. There’s no filter option in the dialog, which can be a little frustrating. What’s more, you can only monitor one file at a time, but it is possible to open up multiple application instances for more flexibility.

Content is shown in a dedicated area from which you can also copy text, but not to edit it. To change content you need to use external tools. The refresh rate is half a second and it can’t be changed. What’s more, the target file needs to be saved in the editor for Mark My Words to be able to read changes.

Bottom line is that Mark My Words is a lightweight application with which you can easily view changes in markdown files, as well as several text types. Sadly, there’s no alert system so you need to constantly keep an eye on the application. Changes aren’t highlighted either, but refresh rate does make it worth your while.