I usually use Sublime Text for all my coding and writing duties, taking advantage of it’s full screen view, syntax highlighting, auto-complete features and other cool features.
Ommwriter, which was previously only available for the Mac and has thousands of fans, has none of these so why would I want to use a minimalist application like this?
Unlike the word processing applications you’re used to, such as Word, Writer or even Google Docs, there’s no myriad of features; you’re basically presented with a blank screen. The idea is that it allows you to concentrate on your writing.
After reading that a Windows version of Ommwriter was available, I downloaded the free version, known as Dāna I, installed it and thought I’d give it a try and see what all the fuss was about and what attracted so many Mac users to it.
I’m more into using the keyboard wherever I can and whilst I miss Sublime’s features such as spellcheck, auto-complete and being able to move blocks of text or code using the keyboard shortcuts and not having to resort to using the mouse, there’s something about the combination of the music and the pseudo-typewriter keyboard sounds (both of which can be changed or switched off) that somehow just works.
So, why not just fire up Sublime, load up some relaxing music in VLC Media Player and write?
To tell you the truth, I’m not sure; there’s somehow something different about Ommwriter. I’ve experimented with other distraction-free applications such as Q10 and WriteMonkey before but they never really did anything for me or offered me anything that Sublime didn’t.
There is also a “paid for” version, Dāna II which contains additional audio and visual options which you can purchase from the very low minimum price of $4.11.
From my point of view, for blogging, it’d be great if Markdown support was included and there are other features I’d like to see added, but that’s isn’t really what Ommwriter is about.
If you want a lightweight, distraction-free application for writing, whether your a journalist, copywriter, author or writing prose or an essay, I recommend that you give Ommwriter a try. If you do, let me know what you think of it in the comments below.
