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I work from home. For a while, I was using Focusmate to keep me on track, which worked very well. I implemented something similar using a standard smart bulb co

I work from home. For a while, I was using Focusmate to keep me on track, which worked very well. I implemented something similar using a standard smart bulb connected to Apple Home, and then I just controlled it using shortcuts and Hammerspoon such that it would turn red when my webcam was active, and turned off when it wasn't. I mounted it in a normal lamp outside my office door. It worked really well to reduce family interruptions when I was trying to work. I haven't been doing this for a while now, but I'll probably come back to it at some point. I called it my Roxanne light :-)

nuancebydefault 2y ago
You don't have to turn on the red light, those days are over!
bigcat12345678 2y ago
https://www.focusmate.com/ https://www.focusmate.com/ This? Seems focus mate is real human? Seems can be replaced by a LLM bot? I am not suggesting this as a cost cutting, but I am shy in front of humans...
- GCUMstlyHarmls 2y ago
  I wonder if you would care as much about letting a fake human down? I assume the idea wouldn't function as well if you know its an LLM.
- lemming 2y ago
  Yes that one, and yes it’s a real human. I don’t think it would work as well with an LLM, something about there being a real person there helps immensely with accountability. I’d encourage you to try it out if the idea is interesting, it’s nowhere near as weird as it sounds and it really does work for keeping you focused.
  - dr_kiszonka 2y ago
    I will try it because it makes no sense to me. People slack off in open spaces all the time, don't they?
    - shae 2y ago
      I do focus mate with my friends and it's amazingly productive for me.
- ChainOfFools 2y ago
  It looks like this service may be intended to have a significant off label use as a professional networking / online matchmaking app, judging by the choice of human pairs given in the stock images on the website. They're all male/ female pairings of similar age groups. It's curious that the list of suggested activities includes conventional headshot-framed work activities as well as full body view stuff like exercise routines.
  - lemming 2y ago
    That seems like a stretch to me from the landing page, and is absolutely not my experience from using it. It’s also explicitly discouraged in all their documentation, e.g. this is from their FAQ: Can I chat with my partner? No. Talking with your partner is only allowed at the beginning and end of your session. At the beginning, you’re encouraged to say hello to your partner and share what you plan to work on. At the end, you should check in and ask your partner how the session went. If you’d like to talk to your partner more, you can suggest or offer it at the end of your session. Please bear in mind, no selling or propositions (business or otherwise) are allowed during Focusmate sessions.

nuancebydefault 2y ago

You don't have to turn on the red light, those days are over!

bigcat12345678 2y ago

https://www.focusmate.com/ https://www.focusmate.com/ This? Seems focus mate is real human? Seems can be replaced by a LLM bot? I am not suggesting this as a cost cutting, but I am shy in front of humans...

GCUMstlyHarmls 2y ago
I wonder if you would care as much about letting a fake human down? I assume the idea wouldn't function as well if you know its an LLM.
lemming 2y ago
Yes that one, and yes it’s a real human. I don’t think it would work as well with an LLM, something about there being a real person there helps immensely with accountability. I’d encourage you to try it out if the idea is interesting, it’s nowhere near as weird as it sounds and it really does work for keeping you focused.
- dr_kiszonka 2y ago
  I will try it because it makes no sense to me. People slack off in open spaces all the time, don't they?
  - shae 2y ago
    I do focus mate with my friends and it's amazingly productive for me.
ChainOfFools 2y ago
It looks like this service may be intended to have a significant off label use as a professional networking / online matchmaking app, judging by the choice of human pairs given in the stock images on the website. They're all male/ female pairings of similar age groups. It's curious that the list of suggested activities includes conventional headshot-framed work activities as well as full body view stuff like exercise routines.
- lemming 2y ago
  That seems like a stretch to me from the landing page, and is absolutely not my experience from using it. It’s also explicitly discouraged in all their documentation, e.g. this is from their FAQ: Can I chat with my partner? No. Talking with your partner is only allowed at the beginning and end of your session. At the beginning, you’re encouraged to say hello to your partner and share what you plan to work on. At the end, you should check in and ask your partner how the session went. If you’d like to talk to your partner more, you can suggest or offer it at the end of your session. Please bear in mind, no selling or propositions (business or otherwise) are allowed during Focusmate sessions.