The following doent work on a Windows system and it has been a few years since I have used MacOS - so I do not remember if you can do this.<p>On any of the *nixes that I have used (Debian, NetBSD) there is a similar 'desktop clearing' trick. Simply switch to a non-X tty.<p>Ctl-Alt-F1 on my current version of Karmic Ubuntu.<p>Login and fire up Vim, Emacs, Nano or whatever and you have a zen desktop...
Those of you keen to experience a "distraction free writing environment" without the distraction of cost (or ridiculous Zen hype) should try the time-honoured DarkRoom, at <a href="http://they.misled.us/dark-room/" rel="nofollow">http://they.misled.us/dark-room/</a>