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distraction posts

Filed under: Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Productivity

Focus Booster helps you stay focused

Focus BoosterDistraction is the enemy of focus. If you work at a computer all day, the possibilities for distraction are limitless. One way to stay focused is to use the technique of a firmly regimented working period followed by a short break period that I first came across at Merlin Mann's 43 Folders site. His technique suggested using 10 minutes of work followed by 2 minutes of rest, but the recently popular Pomodoro Technique suggests using 25 and 5. Whatever periods you use, the cross-platform Adobe Air based Focus Booster application is just the timer you need to keep you on task.

Focus Booster is a tiny timer that allows you to set a work and rest period, then away you go. You can focus entirely upon your work knowing that a rest period is coming soon, and you can check out your Facebook / Twitter / blog comments / whatever it is you fancy when the time comes.

Filed under: Macintosh, Productivity

Block out online distractions by force with SelfControl

SelfControl is a Mac app aimed at stopping you from indulging in online distractions while you're trying to get your work done. The way it goes about that is pretty extreme: it disables access to distracting sites of your choice, and all email servers, for a period of time you specify. Even restarting won't remove the block; you'll just have to wait for the time to run out.

You can still use other websites while SelfControl is active, so it doesn't stop you from using the web for work. The only problem with this concept is that you have to have self-control to use SelfControl. I've downloaded the app, but I can't bring myself to push the button. What if I spend the entire time finding more distractions? If you're ready to admit you have a Twitter/Facebook/email/whatever problem, definitely give this app a try. As for me, I can quit whenever I want ...

Filed under: Utilities, Macintosh, Productivity, Apple, Freeware

Freedom frees you (and your Mac) from the horror of the internet

FreedomIf you're anything like me, you're probably at least a little bit addicted to your internet connection. The first thing I do when I wake up is check my email and RSS feeds, and it's also the last thing I do before going to sleep. But that addiction can sometimes be a problem.

Staying on-task these days is not easy, particularly if you work at an internet-connected computer. The possible distractions are virtually limitless. So what is a geek to do? One option is to simply pull the plug. The network plug, that is.

But of course, these days almost all computers have wireless capabilities, so turning off your internet connection isn't quite as simply as just pulling the plug. If you're on a Mac, you can use Freedom.

Freedom will turn off all of your Mac's wireless and ethernet networking for a set amount of time. So if you need to put your head down for an hour and get some work done, you can set Freedom to an hour, and know that you won't be tempted by any distractions.

If you absolutely need to get back online before the chosen duration is up, the only way to do so is to reboot your computer.

This is one of those apps that will be a life saver for some people, and seem totally ridiculous to others. Which are you?

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The World's Hardest Game 2.0 - Time Waster

So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do. Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game. The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...

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