14 DAY TRIAL // Word processing applications are quite an interesting segment, most of them being full of options and features; however, the vast majority of them have no bearing whatsoever on the core purpose of the application. Over the course of time, applications that simply allow one to write text have come to be generally regarded as 'text editors,' while the more complex applications - that also allow you to format that text, slap on a few headers and some tables and a few lists - are regarded as 'word processors.' The difference between the two has nothing to do with actual text and words, but it is a difference that is viewed very seriously. Many people feel that they cannot write in a simple 'text editor', because they think it's not good enough for them, which is an arguable point to say the least. Apple includes in OS X a small application for writing text which has been aptly named TextEdit. It is not a word processor and, for this reason, many avoid it like the plague, because they feel it is not good enough, and it usually tends to only be used when viewing the read-me of various applications.
Of course, there are people who prefer the simple functionality of such a program, and although TextEdit is quite simple, there are other programs out there that take after it, going a bit further, but not by much? such as WriteInOne.
What it does
WriteInOne is a simple text editing program, akin to TextEdit. It does however have a bit of a different approach to handling documents and the kind of documents it is suited for. While undoubtedly it cannot match up to a word processor in terms of features or a proper web designing application, it is a simple tool that can be used without any bloat.
All in one
When it comes to plain text documents, WriteInOne has the exact functionality of TextEdit, almost option for option, and even the menus are the same. The one big difference is that in WriteInOne everything takes place in just one window. IT does not even have a preferences window, it only has the main one.
Much like web browsers make it easy for you to browse by letting you open up several pages in tabs, this program makes it easy to work on many documents at any given time by using a side bar that lists all the documents, similar to tabs. Although only one document is shown at any given time, it is simple to switch between them by simply clicking on the desired one in the sidebar.
This is great for cutting out on window clutter and making all the documents smaller or bigger. Because this is the kind of application that if you decide to use, you should keep open all the time; it is great to simply be able to make the window small, and - as a result - have all the documents small; and when you are working with several programs at the same time, or when you just need to type, you can easily make the window full screen.
Web ready
Another major difference between WriteInOne and TextEdit is that it can edit HTML and PHP files. This goes beyond simply opening them up and typing in them, although admittedly not by much. It does not color-code the tags, or have smart auto-completion options, or anything else that a dedicated application does, it just has a simple Live Preview function that lets you view the resulting text you are typing, as you type it.
Not intended as a serious tool for this sort of thing, the Live Preview is nevertheless great when you need to make simple fast changes, often on the run. Simply activate it and the preview area will slide out. By default, this area will expand from nothing to full window, but you can manually drag it to whatever position suits you best and you can keep it that way.
Little things
This is not exactly the kind of program that you write home about; however, it is a small, definite step in the right direction. The fact that you don't have to be obsessed with saving - because it will keep track of the document contents, and you can even quit it and it will still remember - is great. The fact that it can also open up Word documents is also nice, although most of these won't look proper if they have any sort of formatting. But there are still a few things that are badly needed and are not there.
One thing that is missing (and definitely should not miss) in an application such as this one is the ability to search and replace across all open documents. What is the point of keeping all the documents together if they still have to be treated one by one? Another great option would be the ability to make several windows so you could keep, let's say, all of the office documents in one and all of your notes in the other and a third for whatever else you might need.
The Good
More functional than TextEdit without any bloat whatsoever. It's great to have it around, without having to bother with window clutter or saving all the time.
The Bad
The all in one approach is good, but more could be made out of it, and the ability to search and replace in all documents is badly needed.
The Truth
If you like TextEdit for its simple, functional qualities, then you will probably like this even more. More functionality, still zero bloat.
Here are some screenshots, click to enlarge:
