TFN#88: 🪜Turn your new tab into writing space

I’m a proponent of writing for everyone. If you are literate and able, I don’t see why you shouldn’t write.
That’s also why, in 2023, I shared this Powerful Lean-Mean Writing System on my social media. It struck a chord with many.

Recently, one of the parts of this system, a Chrome extension named Papier, was shut down by Google.
So, I looked for an alternative and thought to share it with you.

The main reason I’m sharing it with you is not its features.
But its ability to provide a clean interface right in our Chrome browser. You may want to check out the Lean Mean Writing System guide to understand the full context.

Turning the “New Tab” into writing space

For as long as I remember, I have never used the default “new tab” space provided by Google Chrome or any other browser. Because they stuff it with unnecessary links, sponsored content and whatnot.
More specifically, I like to keep a space to jot down things or write my thoughts. So, Papier extension used to do this for me. Since it has been retired, I found an alternative extension providing similar functionality.

New Tab Draft extension

You can get this free Chrome extension in your Chrome Webstore by clicking here.
You can add it to your browser.

Once installed, it may ask your permission to replace your default New Tab behaviour. Once granted the permission, every time you click “New Tab” on your Chrome browser, it will open a writing space for you.
For example, look at my sample writing space. I have written two notes saying Notes-1, and Notes-2. And they are vertically tabbed.

This is all I needed, but there is more

For my use case, this is all I needed. Just some writing space that saves my notes on the go. But this extension offers many other features that were not there in Papier. I’m not saying I’m going to use those features though.

Let’s take a look at some key features.

1. Save

In this type of extension, you don’t need to hit Save. It is auto-saved and whenever you reopen the new tab or your browser, the notes reopen. But this extension allows us to save the notes to `.txt` format! I hadn’t thought of it.

2. Blur

You may not want anyone to take a peek at your notes while working. You can easily blur your notes by going to settings and clicking “blur” or hitting Ctrl+Shift+P on your keyboard.

3. Lock with password

I don’t think I’m ever going to use this feature because if I had anything worth locking with a password, I would use something else. But still, if you want to lock a specific note, you can do so.

4. Auto backup offline

I liked this feature. You can go to the Import/Export option under settings and choose the frequency at which the notes should be backed up to your PC. This is helpful in case you start using this extension so much that you don’t want to lose your notes. The backup remains offline so you don’t need to worry about syncing with the cloud.

There are many other features but I’m sure you’d explore them on your own. Besides, as I explained, my purpose for having such an extension is to write more often.

Do you use any similar extensions? Also, did you get a chance to check my Powerful Lean Mean Writing System?
​Hit Reply and share it with me.

Reads of the week:

​Link​
I came across this article on Worldbank’s blog with fascinating results about using AI in classrooms.
This project was run in Nigeria half a year back and now the results are in. The project allowed 800 students to interact with the free AI tool Microsoft Copilot twice a week. The topics included grammar and writing-related tasks. The whole effort was led by teachers.
These students learned faster, to quote the article:

Two years of learning gains in six weeks! Wow.

The era of personalized learning has arrived.