Metapad

Metapad
DeveloperAlexander Davidson
Stable release
3.6 Edit this on Wikidata / 28 May 2011
Written inC (using ANSI C standards)
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
TypeText editor
LicenseGPL-3.0-or-later
Websiteliquidninja.com/metapad
Repository

Metapad is an open-source text editor for Microsoft Windows, developed by Alexander Davidson since 1999. The aim of Metapad is to provide a near drop-in replacement of Notepad in Windows. Metapad was distributed as freeware for the first ten years of its existence. On March 20, 2009, the 10th anniversary of its initial release, the Metapad source code was released under GPL-3.0-or-later.

Some of its key features include:

Metapad is programmed in pure ANSI C with the Win32 API. There are two versions of Metapad: a full and LE (light edition) version. The full version uses the RichEdit control which boasts more features, while the LE version uses the faster Edit control.

Reception

Metapad received 3.5/5 score in a 2013 PC World review, with journalist Mark O'Neill appreciating the robustness of its find-and-replace feature and the ability to quickly exit the application using the Escape key. He disliked the lack of a tabbed interface, however. CNET Download gave it a 4.5/5 score in a 2011 review, with the staff writer proclaiming, "This program should be added to any Windows system, and will soon become the preferred text editor for novices and advanced users alike". Andy Shaw of Web User agreed with O'Neill with regard to the lack of a tabbed interface but appreciated its simplicity overall: "The great thing about Metapad is that it isn't crammed with an overwhelming array of tools. It keeps things simple by only offering a few basics on top of what Notepad provides, such as drag-and-drop editing, a useful toolbar and a favourites list".: 49  He gave it four stars out of five in a 2016 review.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Announcing Metapad 3.6". Archived from the original on 12 June 2011.
  2. ↑ "3.6 final version change".
  3. ↑ "metapad turns ten". Alexander Davidson. 21 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Sloan, Wanda (April 18, 2001). "App-shot: A better Notepad". The Bangkok Post. p. 1. Archived from the original on May 11, 2001.
  5. 1 2 Staff writer (May 30, 2011). "Metapad for Windows – Editor's Review". CNET Download. Ziff-Davis. Archived from the original on June 10, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Staff writer (October 26, 2001). "Bulletin Board". The Houston Chronicle. p. 4C – via Newspapers.com.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Shaw, Andy (March 23 – April 5, 2016). "Best free text-editing tools". Web User. No. 393. Dennis Publishing. pp. 48–49. ProQuest 1787724953.
  8. 1 2 O'Neill, Mark (September 26, 2013). "Metapad review: Replace WordPad with this tiny, full-featured notepad". PC World. IDG Publications. Archived from the original on February 3, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Downloading: Meta-editor". Reforma. Editora El Sol. February 28, 2005. p. 6. ProQuest 307481458.
  10. ↑ "metaFAQ". Retrieved 2007-10-08.