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Show HN: A Firefox extension to break the habit of typing distracting websites

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Re: Show HN: A Firefox extension to break the habit of typing distracting websites

#11

Post by lol768 »

kuschku wrote: post #10
hollerith wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Firefox has a separate field for search queries that is in the nav bar like the location field (terminology? I mean where the URL goes) is (and like the back button, the refresh button, the "downloads" button, etc, are) but is not combined with the location field. At least my Firefox does, and I don't think I customized that particular aspect of Firefox. I seem to recall someone here saying that Firefox decided not t…

Actually, since the latest nightly, they are combined, and you can turn search completion on or off

Is this going to be something that users can customise?

Re: Show HN: A Firefox extension to break the habit of typing distracting websites

#15

Post by CGamesPlay »

Related: http://blog.xkcd.com/2011/02/18/distraction-affliction-corre...

I briefly used RescueTime's functionality for this. Eventually I actually settled on a separate browser profile for distracting sites. Basically, on my work Chrome, I only have productive sites, am not logged into any distracting services, or anything like that. I can use Chrome's user switching to open my "distracting" session, but the extra effort to do that helps me maintain focus.

Re: Show HN: A Firefox extension to break the habit of typing distracting websites

#16

Post by vishaldpatel »

itake wrote: post #12

I like the idea. I find blocking websites with my host file being the best tool for protecting myself against distraction. It would be pretty neat if this was a website that I could point my blocked domains to

The hostfile is great! I use it for more permanent blocks. Reason I use the plugin is to be able to turn blocking on and off quickly if I need to, and as of the next version which will hopefully be available tomorrow, I'll be able to block going to sub-directories.

So, say you have a habit of typing in /r/cars ... I don't know how to block that using a hostfile, but with the plugin this won't be a problem.

Re: Show HN: A Firefox extension to break the habit of typing distracting websites

#17

Post by vishaldpatel »

thucydides wrote: post #14

Does anything similar exist for Chrome? AFAIK, default Chrome won't let you disable autocomplete in the address bar.

I'm sure there are - not sure how lightweight they are though. I'll release a Chrome extension fairly soon.

Re: Show HN: A Firefox extension to break the habit of typing distracting websites

#18

Post by afarrell »

If you find yourself just turning this extension off or undoing the edits to your host file, you should try http://selfcontrolapp.com/ for OSX, which blocks URLs for a specified period of time without the ability to unblock them. It is open source, so in theory you could presumably go source diving to find a way around it, but that would take more effort and focus than doing whatever you are supposed to be doing.

Also, if you find yourself desperately needing this, consider the possibility that you may want to get more/regular sleep, exercise, and better food. "Sleep is for the weak" is a load of horseshit. Your brain is a part of your body and you should take care of both. This got me through the last parts of undergrad and I am very grateful to the maintainers, but I wish I'd not needed it.

EDIT: there is apparently an app http://getcoldturkey.com/ for windows. I've never tried it though.

Also, Momentum for Chrome is a good replacement for the "recent pages" new tab screen: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/momentum/laookkfkn...

Re: Show HN: A Firefox extension to break the habit of typing distracting websites

#19

Post by vishaldpatel »

afarrell wrote: post #18

If you find yourself just turning this extension off or undoing the edits to your host file, you should try http://selfcontrolapp.com/ for OSX, which blocks URLs for a specified period of time without the ability to unblock them. It is open source, so in theory you could presumably go source diving to find a way around it, but that would take more effort and focus than doing whatever you are supposed to be doing. Als…

There's no substitute for a healthy lifestyle. That said, even with one, you may find that you need a tool like this. I know I do.

I added the ability to turn it off as a feature after needing it! =). But yeah - there are heavier alternatives for heavier needs.

Re: Show HN: A Firefox extension to break the habit of typing distracting websites

#20

Post by EdwardDiego »

afarrell wrote: post #18

If you find yourself just turning this extension off or undoing the edits to your host file, you should try http://selfcontrolapp.com/ for OSX, which blocks URLs for a specified period of time without the ability to unblock them. It is open source, so in theory you could presumably go source diving to find a way around it, but that would take more effort and focus than doing whatever you are supposed to be doing. Als…

That Self Control app is good for me, thanks!
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