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Tech: free software to limit internet time?
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Tech: free software to limit internet time? |
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Subject: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: katlaughing Date: 02 Jan 11 - 04:26 PM One goal of the new year is better self-discipline, esp. when it comes to editing my novels etc. Working at home can be so fun, but also so limitless..I find myself spending too much time playing on the internet, than doing other computer stuff. So, I am going to install a program which will help me limit my internet time. I was wondering if any of you know of a good program and/or if it might be Any of These. Any constructive input would be welcome. Thanks.:-) What I'd like to be able to do is limit times of day and actual time spent online. Lucky you!:-) |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 02 Jan 11 - 04:35 PM I assume you are using Windows. I don't know of any of the ones you list. There are also many free utilities for Linux - some of them will also work on Windows, that keep a record of your time spent online and display it - not heard of any of them that actually shut you down. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: katlaughing Date: 02 Jan 11 - 04:36 PM Sorry, yes, Windows XP, Firefox and Opera browsers |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: Nick Date: 02 Jan 11 - 04:42 PM Has your machine not got an on-off button? Or try notepad. 10 Open notepad 20 Open new document 30 Write time limits in it 40 Keep it on screen (pushpin will keep it on top if you want) 50 Do what you want 60 Check notepad and see whether you are still allowed to be in this loop 70 If notepad allow it back to 50 otherwise 80 END A bit like the 60st man who stopped eating 20000 calories a day and bizarrely started to lose weight. How's that happen? You are looking for an overcomplex solution to a simple problem |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: Arthur_itus Date: 02 Jan 11 - 05:45 PM This simplest way is to go with an ISP and decide how much time you want per day. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: framus Date: 02 Jan 11 - 06:12 PM Book yourself an abusive alarm call for an hour after you go on line. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: katlaughing Date: 02 Jan 11 - 06:52 PM Well, thanks to Fools and to another person who didn't act like I was an idiot and sent me a PM of a good extension for Firefox. Ya know it's snotty, smarmy answers like those above which make a person wonder if they dare start a thread any more around here. Mudcatters used to at least give a person a chance before they declared them an idjit. And, just in case you think I am a Pollyanna, I'll meet your snide and raise you a Fuck Off! Thanks, Fools, and PMer. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 03 Jan 11 - 12:13 AM Ah - if you would have mentioned Firefox ... I know of a few... If one was able to do the simple things as per suggestions (which I DID THINK of...) then the question would nat have been asked... :-P :-) |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: JohnInKansas Date: 03 Jan 11 - 04:43 AM "Time Rationing" was mentioned as a popular resolution for the new year in a web column I came across recently. My recollection is that it didn't say how people were doing it, and unfortunately I didn't make notes. The column appears to have disappeared now, so apparently it wasn't considered a high-interest subject. There are a number of "professional programs" specifically for limiting time spent on tasks chosen by system administrators and/or office managers, for scheduling specific time slots for doing particular tasks and/or for tracking and limiting personal or "non-productive" activities. Most of the programs I've received adverts for recently would not be suitable for individual use, so far as I can see. Some of these programs also include accounting functions to record time spent on tasks for billing purposes. It's quite possible that those who've shown an interest in these functions, and suggested their use as a resolution, mostly have access to a "corporate program" that makes it easy. Programs mentioned in previous posts here are mostly in the "nanny program" class, intended for supervision of kids too young to hack the passwords. The most common complaint about the typical of these programs was, a few months back, "the kid changed the password and now I can't get in." (i.e. most are only useful if you're dealing with honest kids(?) or if you're in the rare category of a parent who actually understands computers better than the kids do.) An ordinary "kitchen timer" lets you set up to (usually) an hour before a "ding" goes off. Depending on how "dedicated" one is to the idea of limiting their daliances, one of those might suffice and still be handy for making cookies when they (cookies) are needed. If you already have a timer, you might also try timing your browsing with it for a while to see if the idea works for you, before putting a lot of time into an exotic solution. (Even if the program is free, you have to learn how to set it up to do what you expect it to do, and time is what you're trying to save.) John |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: Midchuck Date: 03 Jan 11 - 06:29 AM It amuses me that a person who spends a couple or three hours a day on the internet is perceived as having a problem, whereas if he/she spent the same amount of time watching TV sitcoms or sports, or reading escapist novels, that would be perfectly normal. Peter |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: Nick Date: 03 Jan 11 - 07:24 AM katlaughing I'm sorry if you dislike the content and tone of my post. Do I think you are an idiot? No. Do I think you are sorting out the wrong problem? Yes. I am quite a sarcastic soul and do use it when I probably shouldn't. It usually has an effect though. If you are sidetracked when doing things then removing one of them will tend to be replaced by another. I'm sure you recognise this yourself as it would be stating the obvious. Perhaps given the situation you find yourself in (ie working at home with lots of time and distraction) you might want to look at the job you are doing - are you ignoring it because you really don't want to do it? Or you might rather spend some time looking at some of the many time management and goal/priority setting resources that exist on the internet. You may well find that rather than denying yourself something that gives you pleasure (ie being distracted and 'finding out stuff') you may well be able to incorporate both into your routine and end up more satisfied. You might also ponder, in a distracted moment, the motivations of posting on the internet a request for help in self restraint on using the internet. It had a tinge of irony that suggested it wasn't entirely serious which was partly why I responded as I did. My apologies if I offended you but my perception, which may of course be completely wrong, is that you were addressing a symptom rather than a cause. Thanks for the 'fuck off' that was very straightforward. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: Rafflesbear Date: 03 Jan 11 - 08:18 AM Sign up to an internet package with a tight bandwidth limit. If you go over you pay penalties. It's a good incentive and you can save money. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: GUEST,Peter Laban Date: 03 Jan 11 - 08:43 AM Firefox can install add-ons like time-tracker, which shows you how much time you have spent browsing. It's up to yourself then to call it a day when you reached the limit you have set yourself. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: Tootler Date: 03 Jan 11 - 08:52 AM I don't think any of the comments you complained about, katlaughing were poking fun at you or calling you an idiot. OTOH they could well have been hinting at something you didn't want to hear about - the need to exercise self discipline. I am the last one to go on about allowing ones self to be distracted when you have something else you know you really need to do because I am as guilty as anyone of that fault. However at the end of the day, simple solutions such as setting your alarm may be as effective as fancy add on software if you truly recognise the need to get on with what you know you have to do. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 03 Jan 11 - 11:46 AM Kat, There is software that you can set that will restrict access to certain programs or to the Internet at certain times of day (like during your work hours), depending on the way you set it up. We discussed this probably six months ago in a thread here at Mudcat. I'll have to think about it, see if I can find that. I was considering a free trial on one, to see if I could keep me from the compulsive email checking, etc. :) I found one link in my favorites: http://www.rescuetime.com/plans. I'm sure I saved this at the time we were talking about it. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: katlaughing Date: 03 Jan 11 - 01:18 PM Thanks, SRS. Nick, thanks for your comments. I actually hadn't thought of the irony..now that I do, LMAO. My apologies to you all for getting hot under the collar. I don't have a problem with willpower that's what made it possible to write three 50,000 word novels each in one month as part of Nanowrimo. I need a deadline...I write/edit best with a deadline. I am my own boss, so I want to be a little more creative this year. This involves limiting my time on the internet, i.e. spending time on Mudcat!**bg** Thank goodness I do not have a FB/Twitter/etc. habit! |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: Nick Date: 03 Jan 11 - 01:59 PM You are wearing a collar? Is that part of the problem? Perhaps you should ask the person holding the leash to choose what you should do. See I can't help it. Just create the next deadline which is to edit one of them by.... date Otherwise next year you might have 15 x 50000 novels (novellas?) and how would you know which one to edit then? Potentially there could be a January 2012 entry of 'Is there a piece of software that will tell me which novel to edit first?' I WAS taking the piss that time (but in the same serious vein) Happy New Year - and I hope you get at least one edited and online by next January |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: GUEST Date: 03 Jan 11 - 05:32 PM Check this one: http://www.limit-computer-time.com/ |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: Amergin Date: 03 Jan 11 - 06:21 PM I have a friend who uses a portable kitchen timer. He sets it, and then says after that goes off I can go online for 15 minutes or so...It helps keep him focused. PS I have the same problem as you, Kat! |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine Date: 03 Jan 11 - 08:54 PM The kitchen timer idea is central to the http://www.pomodorotechnique.com: daft name, but I've found it helpful (particularly for avoiding distractions). You can get software timers but there's nothing to beat good old-fashioned hardware. The problem isn't the internet itself, so much as allowing yourself to get distracted. If things are really desperate, try unplugging your modem/router.. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 04 Jan 11 - 08:38 PM Is this a Mudcat "moderator" sending off "F-Bombs?"
Sincerely,
Get a grip kid....spring is coming....in the mid-term....listen to some Bluegrass.
Yours truly, -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: SINSULL Date: 07 Jan 11 - 06:37 PM My company installed software to limit employee browsing time to three 30 ten minute segments. Unfortunately, this prevents me from viewing a number of customers' sites when trying to see if they need our services. Ah well. M |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: TonyA Date: 07 Jan 11 - 07:09 PM A free timer, called Minute Timer, is available from PC-Tools.net. It's very small and simple; just sounds an alarm when the specified time has elapsed. There's an option to run only when minimized, so if you stop browsing for a while to go to the bathroom you can pause the timer just by clicking on it in the task bar. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: GUEST,Jon Date: 07 Jan 11 - 07:41 PM On Linux you could for exaple start firefox via a crude shell script (like a batch file in Windows), something along the lines of: firefox & sleep 10 killall firefox In that example, all instances of Firefox would be killed after 10 seconds. Not sure what Windows might have for the sleep command. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: GUEST,Jon Date: 07 Jan 11 - 07:58 PM Or to be a little less drastic say perhaps firefox & sleep 10 echo "firefox will close in 5 seconds" | wall sleep 5 killall firefox That should display a system message 5 seconds before closing firefox |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: Paul Reade Date: 08 Jan 11 - 05:33 AM Perhaps instead of some sort of limiter on Firefox etc. you could look at including something in your novel writing software. Assuming you use Microsoft Word for your writing, it would be fairly straightforward to have a VBA macro that would interrupt anything else you were doing every few minutes, with a pop-up that must be clicked on to continue. My company specialises in providing Microsoft Office VBA software, mainly in Excel but we have also used Word and would be happy to advise. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: free software to limit internet time? From: Mr Red Date: 08 Jan 11 - 06:51 AM I am guessing, but writing a novel needs some research and the net is a very useful source. The way I handle this is to make notes, physically as ideas come to me in a mini notepad and cardboard pen - courtesy of a Cancer charity - they both fold fairly flat in my bum bag. Then I also make digital notes in notepad, copy & paste URLs etc where they are too specific to write. I also carry a Corsair Flash Voyager memory stick (because it is fast) with FireFox portable and Notepad Portable. That way I have favourites/passwords/notes all to hand. I then use other peoples broadband like radio station & library which limits my time. I stay on dial-up for cost and to keep faith with the audience that surf to my website and also have restricted b/w & time. I personally find the net a boon and timewaster both. And know how much time I would spend with unlimited home access. Discipline is the answer, but begs the question. Switching the modem off after saving any useful pages/text you have researched might be a way. And then there is WWILF - that is where the time goes. |
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