4 ms·

Freedom: a Mac app that gives you up to three hours of internetlessness

15 points by bouncingsoul 19y ago

hollerith 19y ago
Bravo! I wish something like this existed on Linux: preferably implemented in the kernel so that it cannot be overridden with ifconfig or another command. Also: cute name for such a service: Go DOS Yourself.
- vesterr 19y ago
  It's too Clockwork Orange-y. Just develop some freaking self-control.
jrockway 19y ago
This is actually not a bad idea, considering that pretty much everyone uses distributed version control now. Set the timer for an hour, commit commit commit, push, read hackernews, repeat. :)
- hollerith 19y ago
  It would be easy for the service to reject port 80 but allow the port used by the version-control system. More difficult would be allowing access to programming documentation on the web while rejecting time-wasting web sites. One idea is to reject any web page that has changed in the last 24 hours on the theory that the time-wasting sites are constantly changing (are topical) whereas the sites you need to do your work are not. (I do not know if it possible programatically to determine when a page last changed.)
  - jrockway 19y ago
    Honestly, I just removed reddit from my bookmarks toolbar, and make a conscious effort to not go there. That has made me much more productive even during "downtime". The side effect is that I post here more, but at least there is the lock out feature if I notice I'm wasting too much time here ;)
chrisbroadfoot 19y ago
How ironic: "Freedom enforces freedom"
aantix 19y ago
For a slightly less drastic solution, install the Firefox plugin LeechBlock. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4476 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4476 It will allow you to block time consuming websites at time you configure. I block Reddit, Digg, and Hacker News throughout the day with the exception of the first hour of the morning, over the lunch hour, and from 5:30pm on.
- jamiequint 19y ago
  or 8aweek.com
jamiequint 19y ago
the only problem with this is that I use the internet for coding a lot (online docs, etc) I guess 10 minute spurts of freedom might be nice.
mattmaroon 19y ago
Luckily you don't need this if you have a mac mini. The wireless card in it is so shitty that it essentially performs this service for you randomly throughout the day.
PStamatiou 19y ago
when I need "freedom" I just turn off my google notifier. no endless new mail sounds to distract me.

15 points by bouncingsoul 19y ago

Bravo! I wish something like this existed on Linux: preferably implemented in the kernel so that it cannot be overridden with ifconfig or another command. Also: cute name for such a service: Go DOS Yourself.

vesterr 19y ago
It's too Clockwork Orange-y. Just develop some freaking self-control.

jrockway 19y ago

This is actually not a bad idea, considering that pretty much everyone uses distributed version control now. Set the timer for an hour, commit commit commit, push, read hackernews, repeat. :)

hollerith 19y ago
It would be easy for the service to reject port 80 but allow the port used by the version-control system. More difficult would be allowing access to programming documentation on the web while rejecting time-wasting web sites. One idea is to reject any web page that has changed in the last 24 hours on the theory that the time-wasting sites are constantly changing (are topical) whereas the sites you need to do your work are not. (I do not know if it possible programatically to determine when a page last changed.)
- jrockway 19y ago
  Honestly, I just removed reddit from my bookmarks toolbar, and make a conscious effort to not go there. That has made me much more productive even during "downtime". The side effect is that I post here more, but at least there is the lock out feature if I notice I'm wasting too much time here ;)

chrisbroadfoot 19y ago

How ironic: "Freedom enforces freedom"

aantix 19y ago

For a slightly less drastic solution, install the Firefox plugin LeechBlock. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4476 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4476 It will allow you to block time consuming websites at time you configure. I block Reddit, Digg, and Hacker News throughout the day with the exception of the first hour of the morning, over the lunch hour, and from 5:30pm on.

jamiequint 19y ago
or 8aweek.com

jamiequint 19y ago

the only problem with this is that I use the internet for coding a lot (online docs, etc) I guess 10 minute spurts of freedom might be nice.

mattmaroon 19y ago

Luckily you don't need this if you have a mac mini. The wireless card in it is so shitty that it essentially performs this service for you randomly throughout the day.

PStamatiou 19y ago

when I need "freedom" I just turn off my google notifier. no endless new mail sounds to distract me.