What Are FocusWriter and Whisker Menu on Gott Code?

Updated

FocusWriter and Whisker Menu are two of the software projects published on gottcode.org, the personal project site of open source programmer Graeme Gott. FocusWriter is described on the site as a "distraction-free word processor," and Whisker Menu is described as an "alternate Xfce menu." Both are listed alongside his other projects, and the site's About section notes that Gott is known as "The FocusWriter Guy" and "The Whisker Menu Guy" — a sign that these two are among his most recognized works.

What Each Project Is

FocusWriter: a distraction-free word processor

FocusWriter is a writing application built around removing visual clutter so the writer can concentrate on text. The site's one-line description is the only product detail provided, so treat that as the core definition: it is a word processor whose defining feature is a distraction-free environment.

Whisker Menu: an alternate Xfce menu

Whisker Menu is a replacement menu for the Xfce desktop environment. The site describes it simply as an "alternate Xfce menu," which tells you what it is (a menu alternative for Xfce) without claiming specific features beyond that.

How They Fit Into Gott Code

Gott Code is not a company or a store — it is Graeme Gott's project hub. The site lists a range of small applications, and FocusWriter and Whisker Menu sit within that same catalog:

Project Site description
FocusWriter Distraction-free word processor
Whisker Menu Alternate Xfce menu
Connectagram Unscramble words placed in patterns
CuteMaze Find targets in a maze
Gottet Clear the board of falling blocks
Hexalate Spin circles to match colors
Kapow Punch Clock Keep track of time spent on projects
NovProg Wordcount graphing program
Peg-E Jump pegs to eliminate them
Simsu Fill in numbers to solve puzzles
Tanglet Find words in jumbled letters
Tetzle Jigsaw puzzle with tetromino pieces

The About section identifies Gott as an open source programmer and Linux user since 2001, which explains the Linux/Xfce orientation of projects like Whisker Menu.

Where to Find Release Information

The site's "Latest News" section is where new versions are announced. At the time of the site snapshot, it listed releases dated July 23, 2026, including:

  • FocusWriter 1.9.1
  • Kapow Punch Clock 1.7.1
  • Tetzle 3.0.5
  • Tanglet 1.6.10
  • Simsu 1.4.8
  • Peg-E 1.3.7
  • NovProg 3.2.7
  • Hexalate 1.2.7
  • Gottet 1.2.8
  • CuteMaze 1.3.7

If you want to track updates to FocusWriter or Whisker Menu specifically, check the Latest News section on gottcode.org; the site also points readers to Gott's blog for following his work. The provided site material does not include pricing, download instructions, or platform requirements beyond the descriptions above, so verify those details on the individual project pages before installing.