Scott Hanselman

Paint.NET joins the ranks of "tools that Microsoft won't improve, so someone else did it themselves"

September 07, 2004 Comment on this post [9] Posted in Musings
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Fabulous.  Not only can I replace the large-unchanged-since-1994 Notepad.exe with Notepad2, but Mike finds Paint.NET for me, and with a 5 minute evaluation I've replaced my Paint.exe with Paint.NET.  It's as simple and as elegant as Paint Shop Pro (the early version, before they threw in the Kitchen Sink and it got all sassy and quasi-vectory) used to me.

+1 for Paint.NET!

While I'm replacing all my default Windows Accessories, what are some other freeware/.NET replacements?

  • Calculator?
  • Hyperterminal?
  • Backup?
  • Wordpad?
  • Sound Recorder?

About Scott

Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author.

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September 07, 2004 11:19
Yes, I have to admit I like paint.net, too :-).
Not to mention that it comes with source code.
September 07, 2004 16:53
Best freeware audio tool around is Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ I was just recommending to someone else so I'll do it here too.
September 07, 2004 19:37
Some Seattle software shop makes PowerCalc (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx), which they distribute for free off their Web site.
September 07, 2004 23:39
At least Chris Sells is updating Solitaire for Longhorn!
September 08, 2004 4:13
There's Microsoft's own CalcPlus:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=32b0d059-b53a-4dc9-8265-da47f157c091&displaylang=en
September 08, 2004 7:10
Don't forget the Task Manager ;)

http://www.shitalshah.com/blog/PermaLink.aspx?guid=f577bf43-52d1-4256-99bb-ffc6ff91ac10
September 08, 2004 14:33
task manager i think is done:
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml
September 09, 2004 14:17
Don't forget Putty as a terminal replacement.

- mn
October 08, 2004 14:13
Calc98 (http://www.calculator.org/) is a must... there is a freeware version.

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in any way.