“Is there a word for someone who blocks themselves from accessing everything work-related, leaving them only with Twitter?” That’s the question i asked shortly after blocking myself from everything Ars in an attempt to test out Self Control, a simplistic (if not strict) distraction-blocking app for the Mac. Created by developer Steve Lambert for free under the GPL, SelfControl blocks a list of domains for a specified period of time in order to help you focus—presumably on work. The app works with websites, e-mail servers, and, as I discovered, even IRC servers and the like.
Unlike apps like WriteRoom—a word processor that visually blocks you from seeing anything in the background—and Freedom—an app that blocks all Internet access for 8 hours at a time—SelfControl lets you specify exactly what you want blocked through a blacklist while allowing everything else. So, while you’ll be able to see your IRC buddies chatting away in the background (if you didn’t block it), you can still access the things you need to get things done.
- Custom time interval for distraction free mode - Ability to turn off 'always on' mode - Improved UI - Self Control - A simple app to keep you focused online by blocking sites that you spend way too much time on. Note that the app works by blocking patterns within the full url. Our website provides a free download of Self Control 1.3 for Mac. Our built-in antivirus checked this Mac download and rated it as 100% safe. This free software for Mac OS X is a product of Steve Lambert, Charlie Stigler. The software is categorized as Security Tools. Cisdem AppCrypt (Mac) Cisdem AppCrypt is one of best Self Control for Study app alternatives. Simple website blocker for Chrome 🙅💻 Chrome Extensions. Just Focus is a. Manage your procrastination with Self Control. Download it here for free. Do you find it difficult to keep the concentration? Or are you failing to keep the focus so you procrastinate a lot instead? Download Selfcontrol for Mac 2.0.2. Check out Selfcontrol for Mac on video: Critic's assessment as well as advantages and disadvantages.
The blacklist has no bells or whistles whatsoever—just start entering domains you want blocked. The only feature it has is the ability to import your e-mail servers, in case you’re a compulsive e-mail checker.
The only other element to SelfControl is a slider on the main screen that lets you decide how long you want your blacklist to be enforced. You can choose anything from a few minutes to a few hours, but beware with experimentation, because once you click that “Start” button, you’re committed to being blocked for that entire period of time, no matter what.
That’s right—there’s no way to stop the block. Quitting the app won’t work, and not even rebooting will lift you from your self-imposed jail cell. Lambert must have serious issues with (actual) self control (we kid because we love, Steve), because this app is not screwing around. Incidentally, we investigated to see whether SelfControl modifies the machine’s hosts file in order to impose the block, but it does not.
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(In my playful experimentation gone wrong, I had to switch computers altogether in order to get this article done. Theoretically, you won’t be as stupid as me if you use this application.)
Assuming you are happy with the blacklist and you click Start, SelfControl places a semi-transparent countdown timer on the screen that you can move to wherever you want. Try accessing any of the websites you blocked and you’ll be presented with an error saying the browser can’t connect. Your mail, IRC, and whatever other clients will just act as if the servers are down. Enjoy the silence.
Ultimately, SelfControl is not about exercising self control at all. It’s an application that is meant to replace your self control with strict, compassionless rule enforcement. If you need that kind of thing in order to get your work done, then download away. If you like being able to moderate your own Internet usage, then this app is definitely not for you.
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Or, if you’re not entirely sure, go ahead and play with it for a while—it’s free! Just keep in mind that you brought this on yourself when you find yourself halfway into your solitary confinement and you need to get to a website you blocked.