Scribes (software)

Scribes is a minimalist lightweight free text editor Linux and BSD designed for the GNOME desktop licensed under the terms of the GPL-2.0-or-later license.^[2] It was created by Lateef Alabi-Oki and programmed in Python.^[2][3]

Scribes

Scribes showing 'replace' function
Developer(s)	Lateef Alabi-Oki
Stable release	0.3.3.3 (5 January 2008) [±]
Written in	Python
Operating system	Unix-like
Type	Text editor
License	GPL-2.0-or-later[1]
Website	scribes.sourceforge.net

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Features

Scribes supports Python plugins, remote editing with FTP, SFTP, SSH, Samba, and WebDAV, and autosave. It also supports code snippets, auto-indentation, hotkeys, bookmarks, templates, and automatic word completion or replacement.^[2][4] Scribes has syntax highlighting support for around 70 different programming languages, including PHP, Java XML, and HTML.^[5] Editing icons are hidden from view until a user mouses over the area.^[6][7]

Scribes does not support tabs, instead opening every new file in a separate window. A document switcher is provided to switch between windows by pressing F9.^[3]

The interface supports multiple different color themes.^[6][7]

Reception

LinuxInsider stated that Scribes was a "revolutionary approach to working with a text editor" though noting that the interface took some time getting used to.^[6] Linux.com said that "after 30 minutes of usage, you will either love it or hate it."^[3] RedMonk.com praised the "rethink everything" approach of the editor.^[8]