I use grayscale when I'm finding I'm too distracted by all the stuff on my phone or computer. It helps me focus on what I'm doing sometimes and is a visual reminder that, for whatever reason, I need to try harder than usual to avid distractions that day.

This has been a little trickier since I have started programming more. I really like syntax highlighting.

Another solution to this problem could be opening seperate users on the computer. One for serious work, one for leisure.

One could probably block facebook, hn, news sites, etc. on the work user, and only have files and programs related to work.

I really want switchable, individually suspendable workspaces as an OS feature. A workspace for each development project, one for each writing/research task, one for time-wasting browsing, one for gaming, and so on.

Actually KDE has had a similar feature for a while now. You can define "Activities" in KDE, when you switch between them all your settings and opened windows change.

For example you can define an Activity for each project, arrange your windows and settings (ie. desktop shortcuts, widgets, etc.), work on you project, then switch to a different activity. When you come back to your project, you'll continue from where you've left.

Not exactly what you're asking for... but Qubes domains achieve something like this: https://www.qubes-os.org/video-tours/

This is a fantastic idea. I'm going to try this tomorrow.

HN thread on an article that links to other articles about turning off syntax highlighting: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11277183

Apt to push HN threads in an HN thread about ditching feeds

Wow, there is a lot of stuff there. About a year ago I looked for some contrast based syntax highlighting for Atom and didn't find anything usable, but maybe it's time to look again.

I've done something similar to this the past few weeks by basically turning my iPhone into a glorified iPod that has the added bonus of receiving phone calls. No Safari, no games, and the only custom app on there is my podcast player. There are less apps showing on the phone now than with a fresh install of iOS.

Moving most of the phone activities back to my computer or tablet makes it, like you said, a more conscious choice, and easier to not constantly check for updates.

Turning off all notifications has been nice. Instagram can't interrupt me anymore, only when I remember to check the app.

From this perspective the viral loop of social media appears greatly weakened once you turn off notifications, which is probably why instagram started sending me sms message on what I may have missed out in.

Yeah, the Facebook notifications situation is totally out of control - if they can't reach you by push notifications they'll send you ails and texts. I had to delete the app since there are some notifications it is actually impoaaible to turn off.

Discovering https://mbasic.facebook.com has restored my ability to use the little of Facebook on a mobile browser that I need without it entitling itself to further prominence on my attention span. Even keep it wrapped up in a separate web browser, that I go to only to check FB, works great for me.

I did this. I took all non iOS apps off of it, except my password manager. Even the useless iOS apps are gone, pages, and the like - I mean I would never use apps like that on a phone.

I use my iPhone to READ text messages and sometimes send them, to call people, and to take pictures.

That is it.

Unfortunately, I tried removing safari, but couldn't handle it because I needed to look up phone numbers or addresses when out.

I turned it gray scale (old school photographers captured images first and processed them a few days later)

I recommend doing all of the above!

Totally forgot about the greyscale trick, albeit for saving battery life.

The real world should be more engaging than my phone. Greyscale seems to kick my brain into kindle mode, a single use device.

I've been considering a leisure device after years of working to consolidate everything in my mbp. Leaning towards an iPad or a flip type Chromebook.

I second the "separate device for leisure" policy. It has worked wonders for me.

You just rocked my world with that grayscale recommendation.

> This sounds crazy, and probably isn’t necessary, but to make your phone boring - make it greyscale!

On Samsung at least there is an all-in-one option: maximum power save. Disables most apps and notifications and makes the screen boring.

You can still call, open the calendar etc so the phone is very useful, just dull.

(For email addicts there's also the option of removing links to apps and I think you can remove even the shortcuts to built in apps.)

Good tips, but then why pay for a modern phone?

GPS + Maps is the killer app for me. The only reason for not switching to a dumbphone.

For record, I haven't had a physical phone for almost a year now and I'm 90% happier for it. Its that 10% of having a phone that's going to get me back in the system eventually, tho. GPS + Maps + Text&Email + Decent Camera + WebBrowser for info look up when needed, on the go. And that fact that my work demands 2-factor authentication to log in to access online employee services.

I run a Mattermost server to chat with family; so no 3rd party owns that data.

Ironically enough this came about as a cost-saving measure. I was considering getting the LTE Watch so that I didn’t have to take my phone as many places. No phone in pocket = no temptation.

That felt ludicrous, because it is, so I went with this option instead. FWIW I’m a total tech nerd - I grey-imported the first iPhone to Australia before it was even jailbroken - yet I have the iPhone SE. The form factor is great for me.

So, yeah, not buying the phone in the first place is perhaps the most sensible option. But I already had one, and so does everyone else.

(Also not being able to use Maps, not being able to re-enable Safari in a pinch, etc. - turns out having a smartphone is really convenient sometimes.)