Category5 Technology TV - Writing Without Distractions With Free Software

Writing Without Distractions With Free Software

S06E04
October 16, 2012

Robbie and Christa demonstrate FocusWriter, a free piece of software to help you avoid distractions such as social media or instant messengers while you write your novel.

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This episode is sponsored in part by: Thermaltake, Netflix, Eco Alkalines and Cordery Electric.

Topics Covered:

Robbie Ferguson and Christa Wells present from the Category5 studios in Barrie, Ontario.
The new business cards.
{play 4:31}Viewer Postcards
{play 7:53}Prize Giveaway: Thermaltake Ladon Gaming Mouse Pad
{play 11:07}Viewer Questions
Viewer Question: I'm trying to install ZoneMinder CCTV software on Zorin OS but it is not a .DEB file, it's just a bunch of files. How do I install it?
- Installing ZoneMinder using Synaptic Package Manager.
Viewer Question: I tried to setup a headless VirtualBox system using your tutorial on Episode 230, but I cannot get vboxweb-service to start. What am I doing wrong?
Viewer Comment: I just watched one of your episodes where you spoke about solid state drives, and happened upon this product in one of our supplier's catalogues:
Viewer Question: Thank you for your very detailed demonstration of Telestream Wirecast. Based on this, I am convinced that Wirecast is what we want to use at the school where I manage the web site and audio/video services. Do you have a list of what hardware I'll need to run Wirecast properly?
Viewer Question: my.pogoplug.com isn't working for me. Is it working for you?
Viewer Question: What prevents Linux from becoming more popular than Windows?
- New Word: Linuxcentricness: any atmosphere where users of Linux share their love for Linux.
Viewer Question: Why is Category5 on Tuesday nights? The live show happens at 3am here in Bulgaria so it's tough to catch live. Can you move it to Friday or Saturday?
How to ensure the "gravy guy" gets a tip back in the kitchen.
{play 32:27}Top Stories from the Category5.TV Newsroom
{play 42:29}Prize Giveaway: TT eSPORTS Battle Dragon Bag.
{play 44:39}Feature: Continuing our series Publish Your Own Novel Using Free Software: Writing without distractions using the free FocusWriter application, available for Linux, Windows and Mac OS X.
- Obtaining FocusWriter for Windows, Mac or Linux. On Ubuntu-based Linux, we'll use a PPA.
- Viewer Question: Is FocusWriter Microsoft Word compatible?
- Loading and using FocusWriter to write your book.
- Using the "Focused Text" feature to make FocusWriter dim out text you'd already written.
- Using the word count and daily goal to challenge yourself to write more each day.
- Using the built-in Timers to remind yourself when it's time to stop writing, or whatever you like.
- Saving your book as an ODT file from within FocusWriter.
- Viewer Question: Does FocusWriter auto-save your writing?