Using the Open Source Alternative-site it is possible to find applications doing somewhat the same as commercial products. For the XML Spy query, the result is XML Copy Editor – a SourceForge application that has currently reached version 1.0.9. My needs were met as it:
- color-codes XML
- beautify/pretty-print XML with consistent indentations to increase readability
- opens files directly from URL’s
Also it XSLT transforms and has a small set of other features you may or may not need. Before you venture into extensive license bill-paying, you may try out this nifty little XML editor.