Ask HN: How to make my macOS less distracting?

#1

Post by tomcat27 » Sun, Jan 23, 2022, 4:59 AM UTC

I want to get into a zone solving interesting problems. Sometimes that involves think deeply on research papers, practice algorithmic questions, writing on something, building a prototype, or simply allow mind to day-dream.

I gotta say, I've been unsuccessful at consistently doing any of these things. Then one time I went to a buddhist monastery for a weekend leaving tech behind. That was a revelation. Time to time I had the urge to look at phone I didn't have, but soon felt like a blessing.

When I look at my computer, I see a device not designed to help me with these goals. I constantly check email, messages, read toxic forums which I guess is partly because of being alone and lonely. Hard to make friends after college. Seems impossible to make good ones.

I wonder what you think about getting my box in order.

Re: Ask HN: How to make my macOS less distracting?

#2

Post by JKCalhoun » Sun, Jan 23, 2022, 5:09 AM UTC

I find it is the internet that is the problem. When I've had my laptop on the road and no connectivity, I have no choice but to create on the device. Fortunately too I keep a number of projects on the machine for such occasions. Photos to sort, a backlog of old magazines (in PDF form) I want to peruse, code projects, etc....

I remember the 90's, having to delete solitaire games from my computer because I wasted too much time playing them. Now with the web always there....

Also, morning walks are good. Leave the phone at home (I only take the cellular-less Apple Watch with me that is recording my "workout").

Re: Ask HN: How to make my macOS less distracting?

#3

Post by learningmore » Sun, Jan 23, 2022, 5:31 AM UTC

Lots of options out there. I’ve found the iOS focus option helpful, as well as groups with fellow ADHDers. Counseling, meds, meetup groups. All the boring, standard stuff.

Re: Ask HN: How to make my macOS less distracting?

#4

Post by downrightmike » Sun, Jan 23, 2022, 5:49 AM UTC

JKCalhoun wrote: post #2

I find it is the internet that is the problem. When I've had my laptop on the road and no connectivity, I have no choice but to create on the device. Fortunately too I keep a number of projects on the machine for such occasions. Photos to sort, a backlog of old magazines (in PDF form) I want to peruse, code projects, etc.... I remember the 90's, having to delete solitaire games from my computer because I wasted too m…

yeah, disable the router if needed

Re: Ask HN: How to make my macOS less distracting?

#5

Post by tomcat27 » Sun, Jan 23, 2022, 5:53 AM UTC

I was thinking to install Ubuntu, to get rid of addictive stuff, make it harder to go beyond bare bones writing, coding and reading.

Re: Ask HN: How to make my macOS less distracting?

#6

Post by Syonyk » Sun, Jan 23, 2022, 6:09 AM UTC

SelfControl app [0]. Give it a list of sites you wish to block, email providers, etc, and it's a bit of a pain to work around unless you really know MacOS networking deeply or cheat and search for it. You can increase the block length time with some quick tweaks.

Use the Accessibility Color Filters to make your machine greyscale. Works fine. Reduces brightly colored distractions.

But... really, read Cal Newport's stuff on Deep Work and stop using a computer for a lot of those tasks.

[0]: https://selfcontrolapp.com/

Re: Ask HN: How to make my macOS less distracting?

#7

Post by gnicholas » Sun, Jan 23, 2022, 6:09 AM UTC

Hiding the dock is very helpful for me. You can also use DND or simply close applications like Mail to avoid distractions.

Using apps in full screen mode helps also. I use spaces for web browsing, communications, writing, etc. so that I'm not constantly bombarded by irrelevant windows.

Re: Ask HN: How to make my macOS less distracting?

#8

Post by throwawaynay » Sun, Jan 23, 2022, 6:09 AM UTC

tomcat27 wrote: post #5

I was thinking to install Ubuntu, to get rid of addictive stuff, make it harder to go beyond bare bones writing, coding and reading.

"I constantly check email, messages, read toxic forums" Isn't all of that on ubuntu?

Have you tried blocking software and websites?

Re: Ask HN: How to make my macOS less distracting?

#9

Post by appleiigs » Sun, Jan 23, 2022, 6:18 AM UTC

tomcat27 wrote: post #5

I was thinking to install Ubuntu, to get rid of addictive stuff, make it harder to go beyond bare bones writing, coding and reading.

Yes, install Ubuntu. On a Mac, even if I turn off Messages, messages still come through[1]. In addition, non-stop reminders or calendar items or upgrade messages that I try to dismiss but keep coming back.

In Ubuntu, you will need to turn off their App Store equivalent, then nothing else disturbs me when I don't want it.

Meanwhile, Windows 10 actively tries to sabotoge your life.

Also, try a Raspberry Pi. Most websites are so painfully slow that is it's not feasible to use, plus Pi should be enough for most coding.

[1] Need to turn Messages off in notifications, but there are times I do want to be notified - major pain keep having to go into settings instead of just turn on or off the app.

Re: Ask HN: How to make my macOS less distracting?

#10

Post by ksec » Sun, Jan 23, 2022, 6:20 AM UTC

I am not sure what iMac has to do with it?

Do you mean how to make your macOS less distracting?

Hide your Dock, Dark Mode ( if that is your thing ), go into Full Screen Mode. Make your Apps act like a Full Screen Single purpose program.