Ask HN: How do you stop reading the internet when you need to work?

Re:Ask HN: How do you stop reading the internet when you nee... by FraaJad on Thursday November 06, 2008 @08:28AM (#355649)

The solution that has worked for me:

1. If possible, use two computers. One for work. One for fun. I do all my work on my macbook and browsing etc on my ThinkPad.

2. Use OpenDNS to block all the news sites. You can add reddit, HN and all the other news sites to the blocked sites list. Most often than not, I used to land up on reddit/HN by "accident". That is, my fingers would go Cmd-L -> redd -> return.. even befor I realised it. Having a blocker works. Sometimes, I consciously want to browse HN/reddit, but OpenDNS takes 3 minutes before the block is lifted. By that time the urge would have passed. Or, as I do now, I get up and move to the "fun" PC .

Why am I on HN now? I unblocked all the sites on election day to read the news from the fire-hose :p . Sine I don't own a TV, internet is the only news source....

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: How do you stop reading the internet when you nee... by aaronblohowiak on Thursday November 06, 2008 @02:17PM (#356009)

if you are just blocking, your hosts file is an easier solution (though it doesnt have the 3 minute timeout)

[ Parent | on HN ]