Is there any good replacement for SharePoint Designer?

Question

If you've ever used SharePoint Designer, you'll know it's bad. Really bad.

Is there any good replacement for that? Is there any consideration I must take account of if I want to build my own Visual Studio Add-in connector to connect to it?

Anything you know that I should be aware of?

I just hate the slowness and the way SPD (SharePoint Designer) just keeps reformating all my stuff.

Answer 1

You can get the Sharepoint Explorer add-in for Visual Studio which will allow you to browse around sites:

http://blog.thekid.me.uk/archive/2007/10/29/vs-net-developer-add-in-for-sharepoint-available-for-download.aspx