Next, choose where you want Chrome to create the application shortcut, and you’ll get a stand-alone app that will display only that one site. Google Chrome’s Application Shortcut feature creates a Website-specific browser that will open and run only the site you tell it to all you have to do to is open the Google Chrome Tools menu (by clicking the wrench icon in the upper-right corner of your Chrome browser) and select Create Application Shortcut. Luckily, you can download Google Chrome and use it to turn any website that you need to use into a distraction-free stand-alone app, so you can keep an eye on the websites you need for work without wandering off for hours in search of random articles on Wikipedia. The moment you open your browser you’re just a new tab away from hours of distraction worse, most people need to stay connected at work and have a Web browser open for at least a few sites (email, server management, CMS access, and the like) for much of the day. Undeniably the chief cause of distractions and reduced general productivity is the Web browser. It won’t actively block notifications from programs such as AIM and TweetDeck, but you can probably shut those down on your own if you need to get some serious work done. Windows users may be interested in Ghoster, a free (donationware) utility that dims all of your windows except the currently active one, to help you stay focused. If so, you can still minimize distractions from other apps with the help of Backdrop, a handy app that lets you hide not just other applications but also your computer’s desktop when you’re trying to get work done in one particular tool. ![]() Not all apps will have full-screen support, however, and in any case you may have to run multiple windows at once. If you can, click that button to run your favorite app in a distraction-free work zone. If your Mac has Lion installed, be sure to check for a new Full-Screen App icon in the upper right corner of your application window. The operating system’s support for full-screen apps has made many of the Mac’s most popular applications (including Final Cut, Photoshop, and other video/music/image editors) distraction-proof by default. Plenty of other great tools can eliminate distractions from your PC desktop so you can stay more productive.Īs many Mac users know, lots of Mac OS apps commandeer the entire screen while running in full-screen mode in the newest iteration of Mac OS, Lion. There’s no reason to limit your distraction-free work environment to writing tasks. Linux users and any Windows or Mac users dissatisfied with other offerings should take a look at the cross-platform FocusWriter, a great little full-screen text editor that supports themes and tabbed document browsing in addition to the usual hidden menus and keyboard shortcuts. It’s mostly a matter of personal preference, but I find that Q10’s timer feature is especially useful when I’m trying to write on a strict deadline or when I’m following the Pomodoro method. This app is great for getting work done, but so is Q10 (also for Windows). ![]() If you’re a Windows user looking for a clean, simple writing tool, consider the free Writemonkey. ![]() Many modern writing apps include a distraction-free full-screen mode as an optional feature–a simple setting that saves time and ensures that you can continue to use your editing software of choice. I’ve compiled a list of my favorites here, but you may also want to dive into the settings of your favorite word processor to see whether it offers an option to shut out extraneous notifications and toolbars. Several good, distraction-free writing tools are available tools to choose from. The movement toward distraction-free tools started with word processors, and it’s easy to see why: Writing requires a lot of mental energy and if your attention drifts to the other windows and apps open on your PC, you can lose focus.
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