6 ms·

Cheaper hack if you can't afford two computers. Two seats. I don't work when sitting in my bedroom, but when I sit at my living room table I only work.

bd 16y ago
This. Also do not use wifi. If I need to concentrate, I physically unplug my notebook from the net (my only connection is ethernet cable) and move to a different room. It works wonders. It makes me think hard whether it's really needed to check something on the web. Usually I just preload in tabs background info I may need later in the day to get the job done.
- leif 16y ago
  When I need to concentrate, I reboot into another partition where I have neglected to enable wifi, and have a rather drab, but efficient-looking environment set up. Turns out FreeBSD and wmaker are great productivity tools.
jdp23 16y ago
i do this too. i have an "office" area at home, and when i'm there i focus on work. i also often hang out at the kitchen table, and there it's much more a mix of working and reading HN.
aidenn0 16y ago
Really you can't afford 2 computers? I can build a machine good enough for web-browsing for under $200. You need a monitor, sure, but people are giving away CRTs. I got a 19" 1600x1200@70Hz CRT for free last year. edit This is with all new components in the box; it's even cheaper if you can get "hand-me-down" components, which should be easy for anyone on HN.
- xiongchiamiov 16y ago
  I just can't afford more computers space-wise.
Umtine778 16y ago
Cheaper Hack use another browser
chorsley 16y ago
Even cheaper hack: two logins. I have one account for projects, one for play. On my project account, I run Self Control (http://visitsteve.com/work/selfcontrol/ http://visitsteve.com/work/selfcontrol/) to block distractions (now experimenting with Concentrate: http://getconcentrating.com/ http://getconcentrating.com/). I find just having two differently configured environments is a good cue which sets me in my work groove.

bd 16y ago

This. Also do not use wifi. If I need to concentrate, I physically unplug my notebook from the net (my only connection is ethernet cable) and move to a different room. It works wonders. It makes me think hard whether it's really needed to check something on the web. Usually I just preload in tabs background info I may need later in the day to get the job done.

leif 16y ago
When I need to concentrate, I reboot into another partition where I have neglected to enable wifi, and have a rather drab, but efficient-looking environment set up. Turns out FreeBSD and wmaker are great productivity tools.

jdp23 16y ago

i do this too. i have an "office" area at home, and when i'm there i focus on work. i also often hang out at the kitchen table, and there it's much more a mix of working and reading HN.

aidenn0 16y ago

Really you can't afford 2 computers? I can build a machine good enough for web-browsing for under $200. You need a monitor, sure, but people are giving away CRTs. I got a 19" 1600x1200@70Hz CRT for free last year. edit This is with all new components in the box; it's even cheaper if you can get "hand-me-down" components, which should be easy for anyone on HN.

xiongchiamiov 16y ago
I just can't afford more computers space-wise.

Umtine778 16y ago

Cheaper Hack use another browser

chorsley 16y ago

Even cheaper hack: two logins. I have one account for projects, one for play. On my project account, I run Self Control (http://visitsteve.com/work/selfcontrol/ http://visitsteve.com/work/selfcontrol/) to block distractions (now experimenting with Concentrate: http://getconcentrating.com/ http://getconcentrating.com/). I find just having two differently configured environments is a good cue which sets me in my work groove.