Write! A distraction free writing tool with a beautiful interface is now available for Linux.
Write! has a number of features that many writers would love. Some of the main features of Write! include auto-saving, cloud-synced documents, offline editing, dark and light themes, unlimited undo, productivity stats. You can also publish your notes to the web directly from the app.
I must mention here that Write! is neither free (in terms of money as well) nor open source. But since it provides an application for Linux desktop, I am covering it.
Note: Write! is not an open source software. We covered it because it is available on Linux.
Write! features
Some of the main highlights of Write! are:
- Auto-saving (even unnamed documents) with unlimited cloud storage
- Offline autosaving
- Multiple tabs and writing sessions
- Document library
- Spell checker
- Smart auto-complete based on your typing history
- Markdown and wiki support
- Unlimited number of undo, even across multiple devices (can undo on Linux what you wrote on Windows)
- Productivity stats tell you how many words you typed. You can set goals here.
- Share the notes either on social media or publish it on the web (like Simplenote)
- Dark and light UI and editor themes
- Multiple text style presets
- Focus mode for distraction free writing
- Cross platform but no mobile applications
You can watch this video to see some of these features in action:
[irp posts=”15727″ name=”Boostnote: Open Source Note Taking App For Programmers”]
Experience with Write!
So I set out exploring Write! app on Ubuntu 16.04. There is an executable made available by Write! team which can be run on any Linux distributions.
Though I don’t have the technical details, I have a feeling that the Linux app is built on Electron.
You must have an account to use Write! app. Your notes are saved to a private cloud provided by Write! linked to your account.
The GUI is impressive for sure. Notes are saved automatically with a sync sign reminding you of the saving process.
The dark theme looks cooler than the white one.
Using Write! with the dark theme and auto-completion and spelling suggestions actually made me feel like I was using Atom and that’s not a bad thing.
Rest of the writing experience is similar to what any modern writing app would provide. It is the additional features that count.
Verdict
Write! is a superb app for professional writing with all the right weapons in its armory. If you are a serious writer and can spend $20 (for the lifetime license), Write! could be your choice.
This app seems dead. Doesn’t launch on Ubuntu 2010, no response from support, no updates on their blog etc for 2 years.
That’s more likely.
its NOT foss!!!
“an executable that can be run on any linux distribution”? So, an AppImage? Why not just say that?
I think this looks good by the way, thank you for writing about it. If you didn’t have the disclaimer at the top about it being Closed Source then I would have been annoyed (as others are), but I don’t really mind too much.
“neither free nor opensource…” then WTF is it doing here, on FOSS?
Agreed! At first I was like woah! And then, ohhhh … not good “It’s FOSS” kind of thing that makes people drop you as reliable sources – sell out, win stupid prizes.