In computing, a full-screen writing program or distraction-free editor is a text editor that occupies the full display with the purpose of isolating the writer from the operating system (OS) and other applications.In this way one should be able to focus on the writing alone, with no distractions from the OS and a cluttered interface. Often distraction-free editors feature a dark background. MatrixFSE - A Full Screen Editor For Distraction Free Writing. Last Update January, 09 2008 (original size 1400x1050 (just right click and select “show picture”) MatrixFSE, formerly known as Gyounen, is a full screen editor for distraction free writing. It provides you with the basic features any editor has (load, save, copy, paste, cut).
The following Free or Low Cost Assistive Technology software programs are available for anyone to use. The following programs, software, websites, and apps focus on different forms of Time Management and Distraction Free Support.
Time Management & Distraction Free:
'The original distraction-free writing app' - idownloadblog.com 'WriteRoom for iOS lives on as Writemator' - Jesse Grosjean, founder of Hog Bay Software Writemator is based on the source code of WriteRoom app for iOS with all bug fixes and new features. FEATURES:. Based on WriteRoom source code for iOS. Fast handling of large documents.
For Mac & iPhone users to write without distractions. WriteRoom is a full screen writing environment. Unlike the cluttered word processors you're used to, WriteRoom lets you focus on writing.
Cold Turkey
Features:
Block distracting websites
Set the websites you want blocked and for how long and go “cold turkey” from them
If the timer is still going, you won’t be able to access your blocked websites
Pro version provides blocking of Applications, White Listing, Break Intervals, and Frozen Turkey features
More Information: https://getcoldturkey.com/
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Windows; Mac
SelfControl
Features:
Block your own access to distracting websites, mail servers, or anything on the internet using this downloadable program to your computer
Set a timer for the amount of time to block websites
If the timer is still going, you won’t be able to view or access these websites
More Information: https://selfcontrolapp.com/
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Mac OS
Time Timer
Features:
Visual timer great for people of any age
Visually structure your time or break time up into segments using this timer program
Easy to use app interface with up to four visual timers
Use this Chrome Extension to enforce a 25 minute work and 5 minute break distraction-free work zone
Uses the Pomodoro Technique
Blocks you from distracting websites you have set in your customizable list
More Information: https://goo.gl/vMQqSI
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Chrome Extension
StayFocusd
Features:
Increase your productivity by limiting the amount of time you spend on websites that waste your time
Pre-program distracting and time wasting websites
When your time limit is up, these sites will be inaccessible for the rest of the day
More Information: http://goo.gl/I5OBeq
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Chrome Extension
MyTomatoes
Features:
Use MyTomato to time and track your progress using the Pomodoro technique
Start the timer and work for 25 minutes and then take a 5 minute break
At the end of each work sitting, write what you did to track your progress
More Information: http://mytomatoes.com/
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Online Resource
Tomato Timer
Features:
Using the Pomodoro Time method, break up your work or school tasks into manageable worktimes
Use the 25 minutes of worktime and 5 minutes of break time pattern to maximize workflow
After a set number of short Pomodoros, take a longer Pomodoro break
More Information: http://tomato-timer.com/
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Online Resource
TimeTracker
Features:
Track how long you’ve been off task in a website
A running time clock appears at the top of the tab you have opened counting how many minutes and seconds you’ve been in that website
More Information: http://goo.gl/uXKJgg
Cost: Free
Compatibility: Chrome Extension
RescueTime Dashboard
Features:
Personal-Analytic service to track how you spend your time on your computer, smartphone or tablet
Get a customized report of what sites you visit and what you do on your devices
No manual date-entry, it tracks as you work
More Information: https://www.rescuetime.com/browser-plugin
Cost: Free
Compatibility: OS X, Windows, Linux, Android, ChromeOS
WriteRoom
Features:
Full screen, distraction free writing environment
Get your computer distractions out of the way with just you, and the text on your computer screen
Limits layout ability, including limiting the ability to add graphs, and tables
Auto save and word count are available features
More Information: http://www.hogbaysoftware.com/products/writeroom
Cost: $9.99
Compatibility: Extension for Chrome, Firefox, Opera
Dark Room
Features:
Use this tool to create distraction-free reading by removing visual clutter from web pages
Use the pre-created themes or create your own with color, font and text size
Save your readings to Everyone for later reading or archiving
More Information: http://jjafuller.com/dark-room/
Cost:Free
Compatibility: Windows
Fokus
Features:
Highlight only the text you want to read while Fokus dims and darkens the rest of your Chrome or Firefox window with an overlay
Highlights the paragraph you’re reading with the ability to change the opacity of the background overlay
Easy to install extension with the ability to turn the feature on or off
More Information: http://goo.gl/pHjc3b or http://goo.gl/CZVhBw
Cost: Free
Hedge 1 8 3. Compatibility: Chrome and Firefox Add-On
I love the idea of WriteRoom for the Mac, but it's a Mac only application. If you're on Windows or on Linux you'll probably have to use these free alternatives (the non-free alternative being “buy a Mac”). All of them perform the same tasks and have similar interfaces.
Unlike WriteRoom, however, these applications do not have a scrollbar for spell check. They're all black windows with green text and that's pretty much it. Of course, you can change the colour of the background and the text
Dark Room is a full screen, distraction free, writing environment. Unlike standard word processors that focus on features, Dark Room is just about you and your text.
Basically, Dark Room is a clone of the original WriteRoom that is an OS X (tiger) exclusive application. It is a child of necessity, as there were no viable alternatives in Windows to produce the same behaviour. Sure, you can kind of emulate the behaviour by jumping through a bunch of hoops in Word/Writer, but it isn’t the same. Also, you can do something similar in emacs, but who wants to learn a bunch of obscure keyboard shortcuts?
The goal of the project is to capture the essence of WriteRoom, while keeping it simple and just as free.