Mac:
WriteRoom is full screen writing tool, it strips away toolbars, menus and other interface elements leaving you with the equivalent of a blank typewriter page with default black background and green color fonts. It is native Mac app and it emulates the computers from 80′s, when nothing was distracting (e-mail, web, IM) you between your idea and your input machine. This writer tool has build word counter so you can always know how many words you already write. It also has spelling and grammar function and ability to speak your written text and autosave so your work. You can customize your background color, fonts, fonts colors, and preaty much everything of it. WriteRoom from version 2.0 cost about 24.95$ and can be downloaded trial for 30 days free use.

But if you want to do the same job for free on Mac, you can try Jer’s Novel Writer. It is free, customizable full screen word writing tool with many features. It has font/background customizations, word count, margin notes, bookmarks, margin settings and other fancy writing tools. Download it here.

JDarkRoom is java based cross platform free port of DarkRoom, similar to WriteRoom. It works on Linux, Mac, Windows and other OS where java is supported. It has the basic same green text on black background interface, customizable font, color, background, autosave, word/line/character count, adjustable margins.. Press Ctrl+H or F5 for available options.

Windows:
DarkRoom is free port of the great minimalist Mac word processor, WriteRoom, runs on Windows and requires .NET framework. It offers an old-school, full-screen, distraction-free writing environment. It’s basically text and nothing else, perfect for serious writers and bloggers.

Q10 – Another great free Windows and Linux (Wine) full screen writing tool. It is customizable, font, color, background, margins, has word count and also spell checker. Press F1 for available options. You can download it here.

Linux:
And what about Linux? PyRoom and TextRoom (TextRoom works on Windows too). PyRoom is open source, native linux app also old school, distractive free full screen word editor, without buttons, e-mails, IM and widgets and let you focus on your writing only. You can install PyRoom on Ubuntu with adding repository sources. To add repositories, open System/Administration/Software Sources, then choose third party software tab, and add line by line following repositories:

For Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope use next lines (line by line):
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/pyroom-dev/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/pyroom-dev/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main

For Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex use next lines (line by line):
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/pyroom-dev/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/pyroom-dev/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main

For Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron use next lines (line by line):
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/pyroom-dev/ubuntu hardy maindeb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/pyroom-dev/ubuntu hardy main

After that you must add PPA Key – very easy:

1. Click here to get Key file
2. After that select all text with pressing Ctrl+A or right click-> select all
3. Copy selected text and make new file (right click on desktop and choose Create Document/Empty file and paste selected text into the file and save it)
4. On System Sources window choose Authentication tab then Import Key File and and choose newly created file from desktop.
5. Click ok than close and you are almost ready

Click close, open terminal and enter next line:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install pyroom

After installation, you can found PyRoom in Applications/Office/PyRoom.

TextRoom is much easier to install and is great distraction free writing tool for Ubuntu and Windows. Has many options, (fonts, colour, background, time, word count..), and if you want to install on Ubuntu just click here and for Windows, visit this page to download Windows installer.

After installation on Ubuntu, you can found TextRoom in Applications/Office. The program is running full screen automatically. You can go in windowed mode with ESC key or Full Screen with F11 key. To Change fonts and other options press Ctrl+P, or to view all available options press F1.

Enjoy in your distraction-free writing.

Tags | Linux, Mac OS, Software, Tools, Windows