XPT (Extreme Power Tools)
Encyclopedia
The XPT is a commercial Win32 Windows software toolset specifically designed for programmers and system administrators. The XPT comprises some 150 applications notable for their "bare metal" design, a "software tools" philosophy, and ten years with no significant bugs. The average XPT executable is 7.19 KB, which allows it to be extremely portable software, as it is also "no intrusion" software, meaning it doesn't place files or leave footprints on the host computer.
The name comes from an interview where the authors were asked if the XPT was for "power users only". The answer was "if they're power users they need to be extreme power users".
applications and with an average a footprint of 7.19KB. The toolset includes several fully featured text editors under or around 10KB and a fully functional Windows Explorer replacement at 14.5KB. The largest application executables are the screen savers.
The XPT toolset (sans documentation) fits but doesn't fill a 1.44MB diskette.
. The authors eschew inserting anything in program code not part of the software's express purpose and functionality (see 'software tools' philosophy). Certain titles in the XPT have been available as freeware
from time to time.
The XPT has no 'installation': all applications run completely "as is" (usually by double-clicking).
The XPT is entirely self-contained and leaves essentially no remnants on user hard drives. All XPT tools share a single common Registry key and no application saves anything to the Registry without the user's express consent. Removing the XPT from a hard drive means removing the original setup directory and at most a single Registry key.
and other places. Slate
and the London Daily Telegraph had a heated exchange and Radsoft, who were consulted during this period, wrote a number of well-received articles on the subject, in particular attacking Microsoft for a cavalier attitude towards quality control. In 1999 Radsoft announced a feature-rich replacement for Microsoft's Windows Explorer under 28 KB. The application, known as X-file, was released to readers of the RISKS Digest forum as freeware
and later was integrated into the XPT as a whole.
, also available in a limited freeware
edition.
Fans of the XPT began the Bloatbusters in 2000 as a way to react to what was perceived as the deteriorating quality of Windows software. The Bloatbusters have been hosted by Radsoft but are otherwise not connected to the parent site.
The XPT also garnered attention when it was discovered Microsoft's Windows XP search tools refused to show files under certain circumstances; as the XPT file management utilities do not use the same APIs they are able to see "everything".
The name comes from an interview where the authors were asked if the XPT was for "power users only". The answer was "if they're power users they need to be extreme power users".
Programming Approach
The "software tools" philosophy centers on making programs which do one thing only, and do it very well - in contrast to the 'bells and whistles' philosophy found in many commercial products. The XPT's authors say the 'software tools' approach is what leads to XPT's bug-free reputation.Bare Metal
The XPT applications are Win32 GUIGui
Gui or guee is a generic term to refer to grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. These most commonly have meat or fish as their primary ingredient, but may in some cases also comprise grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients. The term derives from the verb, "gupda" in Korean, which literally...
applications and with an average a footprint of 7.19KB. The toolset includes several fully featured text editors under or around 10KB and a fully functional Windows Explorer replacement at 14.5KB. The largest application executables are the screen savers.
The XPT toolset (sans documentation) fits but doesn't fill a 1.44MB diskette.
No Intrusion
The XPT is not sharewareShareware
The term shareware is a proprietary software that is provided to users without payment on a trial basis and is often limited by any combination of functionality, availability, or convenience. Shareware is often offered as a download from an Internet website or as a compact disc included with a...
. The authors eschew inserting anything in program code not part of the software's express purpose and functionality (see 'software tools' philosophy). Certain titles in the XPT have been available as freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
from time to time.
The XPT has no 'installation': all applications run completely "as is" (usually by double-clicking).
The XPT is entirely self-contained and leaves essentially no remnants on user hard drives. All XPT tools share a single common Registry key and no application saves anything to the Registry without the user's express consent. Removing the XPT from a hard drive means removing the original setup directory and at most a single Registry key.
Bloatware Debate
Radsoft's XPT was in the news in 1999 when the bloatware debate exploded at RISKS DigestRISKS Digest
The RISKS Digest or Forum On Risks to the Public in Computers and Related Systems is an online periodical published since 1985 by the Committee on Computers and Public Policy of the Association for Computing Machinery. The editor is Peter G. Neumann....
and other places. Slate
Slate (magazine)
Slate is a US-based English language online current affairs and culture magazine created in 1996 by former New Republic editor Michael Kinsley, initially under the ownership of Microsoft as part of MSN. On 21 December 2004 it was purchased by the Washington Post Company...
and the London Daily Telegraph had a heated exchange and Radsoft, who were consulted during this period, wrote a number of well-received articles on the subject, in particular attacking Microsoft for a cavalier attitude towards quality control. In 1999 Radsoft announced a feature-rich replacement for Microsoft's Windows Explorer under 28 KB. The application, known as X-file, was released to readers of the RISKS Digest forum as freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
and later was integrated into the XPT as a whole.
Ethics in Programming
The authors of the XPT have often come out on the side of the consumer against cynical corporate interests. For example, the XPT also contains an "antidote" for Evidence EliminatorEvidence Eliminator
Evidence Eliminator is a computer software program for Microsoft Windows computers that claims to delete hidden information from the hard disk which would otherwise have remained despite any 'normal' efforts to delete it. Such programs usually overwrite previously allocated disk space to make it...
, also available in a limited freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
edition.
Fans of the XPT began the Bloatbusters in 2000 as a way to react to what was perceived as the deteriorating quality of Windows software. The Bloatbusters have been hosted by Radsoft but are otherwise not connected to the parent site.
The XPT also garnered attention when it was discovered Microsoft's Windows XP search tools refused to show files under certain circumstances; as the XPT file management utilities do not use the same APIs they are able to see "everything".