(Firefox) LeechBlock is often the extension others are compared to. It allows you create sets of sites to block for certain times on certain days, create time limits for those sites or both. It's quite effective to have such fine grain control over when you can access the offending sites. It's also got different methods for block from an error to redirection to another page.
Essentially LeechBlock for Chrome, Nanny for Chrome recently switched names from Chrome Nanny. It contains all the same features of LeechBlock but with the addition of some statistics and whitelisted pages. If you try to disable it during a period you've previously set up it will prompt you with an annoyingly long and specific string of characters you have to type perfectly to get access. (Safari) WasteNoTime is also similar to LeechBlock, with features that enable you to restrict time based on time of day and how long you can spend on each site, though it does distinguish inside and outside of work. Clicking the icon shows the clock of how many time you've got left, which is handy. (IE) While this isn't a browser extension, it was the only way we could find to build blocks into IE for certain sites.
If you're using IE you may find that one of the freestanding programs are more useful as they are generally more feature-rich, and thus more effective, than outright blocking of sites (kind of like going cold turkey often leads to binging and abandoning of the endeavor). Freestanding Programs. Mac: Apparently Mac people are as easily distracted because there's a slough of programs aimed at aiding concentration through blocking of sites. ($29) is probably the most extensive program we've seen for this purpose. It works by creating activities that you specify the limits of.
You can limit websites, open and close programs, set your chat status, lock viewing to a window and even change the desktop for each created activity. If your attention needs serious lock-down Concentrate is probably for you. (free) is a much simpler app that blocks mail servers and websites for a predetermined period of time. It's nearly impossible to stop once it gets started (closing, uninstalling or even restarting won't stop it) so if you think you're likely to have second thoughts it's a good option.
SelfControl for Mac comes as a software stand-in for when your own personal self-control needs some assistance. You can use it to block access to domains for short or extended periods of time. THIS IS A MOCK APP CREATED FOR A COLLEGE COURSE. IT IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE MAC APP IN ANY WAY AND ALL RIGHTS GO TO THE CREATORS OF THE SELFCONTROL MAC APP. I AM NOT CREATING AN IPHONE APP, JUST DESIGNED IT FOR CLASS. Procrastinating too much? Does your iPhone distract you from the things that you have to do? SelfControl is here to simulate the self control that you may not have.
($10) is for both Mac and PC and shuts down your internet access for up to 8 hours. PC: (free) is a simple url blocker that sits in your system tray. It doesn't have time-based blocking so it's more of a gentle reminder to stop messing around, which may be all you need. ($39.95) program aimed to help internet addiction. It will block websites and programs for specified chunks of time and prompt you with an annoying string of characters to type if you try to edit it. Our only issue with it is the price.
We find these blocks for distractions work well because they remove temptation. With enough hassle our laziness works for us it's like our focus has doubled. If all-out blocking isn't for you, perhaps you can annoying yourself into productivity with. (Images: and Flickr user under.).
Q: Are you planning on making a Windows, Linux, or iOS version? But the source code is free and others have. Try these for Windows:. GPL and based on SelfControl. that a nice guy made and seems to work.
Try this for Linux:. GPL and allows you to create blacklists/whitelists of domains and/or specific URLs. IOS is too restricted and the App Store does not allow code - get mad at them.
But if you ask nice and pay him well. Q: How do I block a website?
To block Facebook, you would add facebook.com to your block list. Sometimes websites have different domains for different functions, and you may need to block all of them to get it working fully. Q: Are there any other instructions?
Choose Help - Get Started from the menu bar in SelfControl to see a quick tutorial. If you want pictures (although outdated), see this article from. Q: How do I disable SelfControl once it has started? That's the idea. 'But, but but.' Seriously, chill out. It's not the end of the world.
The timer will run out and the internet will come back again. In the meantime, you may find comfort in curling up in a ball under your desk and rocking back and forth for a while.
Q: I deleted the application, will that do anything? (Except maybe cause problems with the block disappearing at the proper time. Don't do it!) Q: I did some stuff with the terminal that I read on a cool tech site, but it didn't work, what do I do now?
We don't know what you did or why you would follow instructions found on the internet before reading this FAQ. Lesson learned right? Q: SelfControl's timer is at 00:00 and I can't start a new block. And I'm freaking out!!! Sometimes SelfControl is unable to clear itself.
If you're using SelfControl 2.0, just wait ten seconds at 00:00, and a button labeled 'Stuck? Stop block manually.' Will replace the 'Add to Blocklist' button.' Click it and remove your block manually! You may need to restart your computer after removing the block manually to get it working right. If you are running a pre-2.0 release of SelfControl, then upgrade. Q: Is SelfControl compatible with VPNs?
No, SelfControl will not block websites properly if you're using a VPN. This is not technically feasible, unfortunately. If you are using a 'partial VPN' like Junos Pulse Secure or Cisco AnyConnect to connect to corporate/university servers, please ensure it is disconnected while SelfControl runs. These applications have a tendency to save your networking state when they connect and restore to that state when they disconnect - so if you turn them on while SelfControl's running, and turn them off after it finishes, your block will 'mysteriously' come back. Q: I upgraded my Mac while SelfControl was running, and now it's stuck blocking my websites. That's not a question, but I'll help you anyway. First, download the latest version of SelfControl from selfcontrolapp.com (replacing your older version).
Then open it, and the timer should read 00:00 (assuming the block should be over). Leave that timer window open for 10 seconds, and the 'Add to Blocklist' button will change to 'Stuck? Stop block manually.' Use that to remove your block. Q: Can I make the block time or intervals longer?
Yes, and you can learn about it here. Q: Other sites I didn't list are getting blocked, why?
We block all sites that run on the same servers as a site on your block list. For some larger sites, this can be surprising. Q: The block is over but I still can't access the site or can only access part of it, how can I fix it? Try:. Refreshing the page. Clearing your cache. Restarting your browser If that doesn't work, set the timer for 1 minute, do another block, and try again once the time has expired.
Q: I blocked a website with SelfControl but I can still access the site, what do I do? First, try:. Refreshing the page. Clearing your cache. Restarting your browser If that doesn't work, SelfControl blocks websites based on the machine the site is hosted at, not the actual website address. Sometimes this won't work that well. Try adding other subdomains of the website (e.g.
New.facebook.com in addition to facebook.com). Q: Some websites are looking really weird/ugly after I started SelfControl!
What do I do? This seems to be an issue with Firefox, mainly. Clear your browser cache, restart your browser, and your problem should go away. Q: SelfControl says it is disabled, what do I do?
This is usually because you have nothing on your blocklist and/or the timer is set to 0. Q: Can I specify ports instead of web addresses? Using:port or.:port notation, gives some flexibility. For example, if you wanted to run torrents and do nothing else, the following steps might help:. Set as a whitelist. Add an entry for.:6881, or whatever port number your client is set to use (check your settings). Add entries for the trackers you use, for example to allow The Pirate Bay you would add tracker.thepiratebay.org:80.
Add any other things you want to whitelist. You can use File— Save to save blocklists for easy loading later. Q: Can I save my blacklists and whitelists? Under File Save. Or Command-S.
Just like saving everything else on a mac. Maybe you could even post the file on your website to share. Unless it's embarrassing. Q: Can I run SelfControl from the command-line? You sure can!
Check out for details. Advanced users can use the CLI to write scripts that make SelfControl do what they want. Q: Can I edit my black/white list once i have started SelfControl? And that's the point, so think before you act. Q: Can you add feature that is really important to me? BUT hey, you could do it.
This is a free and open source project and you are welcome to alter the software however you like. Or you could hire someone to. It might cost less than you expect. We'd also be interested in seeing your code and incorporating your possibly awesome ideas so consider forking the project here on GitHub.