WriterdeckOS

Project nature & presentation

• Commenters quickly discover WriterdeckOS is essentially Debian configured to auto-login into the tilde text editor via a shell script, not a new OS from scratch.
• Several argue this should be a script or config recipe, not a full distro image, to avoid redundant images and wasted bandwidth.
• Many complain about the lack of an obvious, full screenshot; the only small “usage” image is easy to miss and not very informative.
• Some express security concerns about running a custom ISO from an individual, noting there’s no easy guarantee it matches the published script.
• Questions are raised about how “open” the project really is, given a sparse public repo.

UX, safety, and design issues

• Terminal-only interface raises concerns about readability on high-DPI screens and limited typography; people suggest proportional fonts, max-width text columns, and more “white space.”
• Lack of autosave is heavily criticized as anti-user; several propose minimal autosave plus version control or plaintext sync (even git-based).
• File management and export via shell commands and possibly USB mounting are seen as clunky, especially for non-technical writers.
• A serious warning emerges: one user reports that simply booting the system led to the internal drive being wiped after a very short GRUB timeout; this is widely viewed as dangerously user-hostile.
• Multiple commenters suggest a live-USB mode instead of mandatory destructive installation.

Distraction-free writing philosophy

• Many like the idea of a distraction-free device but point out practical needs: research, definitions, battery status, spell/grammar checks.
• Popular workflow: stay in “writing mode” and mark unknowns with placeholders (“TK”, TODO) for later research/editing.
• Others prefer using modes or separate user accounts on a normal OS, or even a separate device, rather than rebooting into a special OS.
• Some argue the root problem is not tools but “resistance” and motivation; others counter that environment and friction strongly shape habits.

Alternatives, audience, and scope

• Alternatives mentioned include FocusWriter, Scrivener, Emacs darkroom, minimal Linux desktops (Sway, labwc, XFCE), AlphaSmart, Freewrite, old Macs/ThinkPads, and even typewriters.
• Supporters say WriterdeckOS targets non-Linux writers wanting a single-purpose laptop; critics reply that a shell-and-tilde workflow still assumes Linux-style comfort and may add friction instead of removing it.