WriteRoom — a program for writing

This is WriteRoom. It's an excellent program that I discovered today.Now I know what you're thinking -- what is the point of this program that looks like a computer screen from 1989?</p> <p>Well, the answer is that it's a program that provides the ideal computer environment for writing in an undistracted way. Normally I write in Microsoft Word, which has a gazillion toolbars that clutter up the screen. On a Mac it's even worse than on a PC because the toolbars float around on the desktop.</p> <p>Sometimes working on a Mac is a bit like reading a newspaper that someone has cut the ads and crossword out of -- you can see bits of other programs and the desktop in the background. Now, I've learned on a Mac to simplify things by hitting Option + Command + H, which hides everything but the program I'm working on. But still, there's always the visual reminder of other programs in the dock (the Mac Taskbar) and in the toolbar at the top. That takes up attention that could go into my writing.</p> <p>So WriteRoom frees me from all that. It's just a simple black screen, type, no formatting tools, and no visible menus. Perfect for writing! In fact it's the next best thing to being in a small cabin in the woods for a writing retreat!(Just remember to switch off any audible alerts for emails arriving, etc).</p> <p>As you can see, WriteRoom does spell-check, but there's an option to turn that off if you don't want to be distracted even by that (and why not -- it's recommended that you separate the act of creation from the act of editing so that you don't inhibit the flow of creativity -- you can write first and spell-check later.</p> <p>WriteRoom is available from http://hogbaysoftware.com/products/writeroom.

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You’re currently reading “WriteRoom — a program for writing,” an entry on Bodhipaksa's blog, bodhi tree swaying

Published: Feb 22 2008

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Category: Meditation & practice, Technolust