Re: still using a text editor

I use editors I can configure: Dreamweaver as a WYSIWYG, EditPlus for Win98
HTML and Perl, and nEdit for Linux HTML and Perl.

Dreamweaver does a good job of writing the code the way I have configured it
to do.  If I would normally put a line break in the code, I configure DW to
do the same thing at the same spot.  I find myself using it often,
especially in the early conceptual stages.

The text editors both feature configurable shortcuts, and these shortcuts
can both be configured to write the tags in compliance with whatever spec
you want to use.  I have yet to figure out how to get Dreamweaver to confirm
to XHTML with auto-generated code (I've been a bit short on time,
though...).  EditPlus and nedit both have new shortcut macros built in for
this purpose, though...now...:).

For me, the shortcuts are faster.  I am a poor typist...this not took me 15
minutes.  I also find it easier to lay things out visually, although this
becomes less true the more I hand code.  So, for me, Notepad would be a bad
choice, as it would decrease productivity at a time when I am completely
swamped.

A validator is essential to my shop. I don't wish to start a long discussion
on the issue, so the reason for this is because I think it is necessary.
HTML tidy can be easily integrated with EditPlus.  We also use HTML-Kit when
validating, so there's a 4th editor in our toolkit.

To answer the question: you are only missing out on something if the
alternate tools can improve either your performance, your quality or your
time management.  There is no right tool for everyone.  The code is code
once its done, and that's what you are judged on.

D

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