[DanBC]

Abiword is a lightweight word processor. You'd probably want to use Abiword's template feature to set defaults to what you want. EG I prefer light text on dark backgrounds. I like monospaced fonts. I have all the toolbars turned off.

This allows me to do basic "text editor like" typing, but with the option to apply styling and export to PDF.

http://www.abisource.com/wiki/FaqDefaultFont

http://www.abisource.com/wiki/FAQ/Always_save_as_Word

Otherwise, any text editor you like for most of the stuff and the tools you need for the other stuff. gedit for all the texty stuff, and then import it into a WP to apply styles and export to PDF.

I guess I misunderstand your question: why don't you just use a word-processor for everything, and save as text? Why don't you just use a text editor and then import into a WP when needed?

[memborg]

I don't want to use a word-processor at all. But thanks for the input on abiword