To some extent, Google docs can also do what WriteRoom does: set the background of your document to black, and turn on full screen mode. :)

In addition, you'll get other Google docs features, eg: revision history (useful if you're writing a diary for instance).

Because WriteRoom is part of MacHeist, I downloaded it. Seems like a very useful program. Typing without interruptions. Looking forward to a bigger document where this can be handy.

The screenshot here and on the homepage don't give a good idea of what the app looks like full screen.
This one is better:
http://www.cuk.ch/images/articles/3351/write_room.png
(too big for iusethis unfortunately.)

The new "Edit in WriteRoom" feature is nice, but it has some limits:
- in Safari: can't edit a message in gmail.
- in Mail.app: accentuated letters are messed up if format is rich text (fine if plain text).

Just... bizarre. It does what it says it does, but really, that's not much, which is the whole point I guess - a full screen text editor. Likeable in a weird way.

The developer writes about the differences between free/purchased on his forum: "At the moment the only difference is the nag screen that shows up on startup, and the good general feeling that you'll get buy buying it and supporting my work"

I couldn't find this question on the comments here, so apologies if its already been asked. What's the "catch" with an unlicensed version? Is it timebombed? I couldn't find any "you only get feature X, Y, and Z with the unlicensed version" blurb anywhere. Can anyone explain what the purchase incentive is?

@sarahwynne : Hmm, I can just hit File>Save or Cmd-S to save. I don't have to export to save. Care to elaborate?

Frankly, I liked the simplicity of the old version better. None of this export-to-save thing. I'll export it when I need, and not a moment sooner. Less files to keep track of that way.

Besides, free is way better. ^^

@mjsteinbaugh :
MacJournal lets you use it as an editor from another application like TextMate or MarsEdit? I'm not sure MacJournal and WriteRoom are really even comparable.