Get Productive! Ways to Limit Online Distractions

Posted on Posted in Study and Exam Tips

Remember back in 2010 when Google posted the classic Pac-Man game on its home page? Fun, huh?! Well, a time management company calculated that on that fateful day, 4.8 million hours of work time were lost, along with $120 million in lost productivity. Pretty scary, so read the full story here.

If we’re honest with ourselves, we probably realize that online distractions such as Facebook and Twitter (and Pac-Man) can seriously cut into study and work time. But all is not lost. Library research assistant Linda Herman has put together this handy chart of sites that can help you manage your time better by blocking social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter for specified periods of time. You’ll find a link to the social networking site, info on whether the site works for Macs or PCs, and some of the pros and cons of each site.

Product Name and Information

Pro

Con
Chrome Nanny

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/cljcgchbnolheggdgaeclffeagnnmhno

 
  • Mac or PC
  • Free
  • Simple
  • An extension for Google Chrome used to block particular websites
  • Set up white-lists, black-lists and the extent to which sites are blocked
  • Can be disabled or uninstalled with a click

 

 Must be a Chrome user 

Can be disabled or uninstalled with a click
Focal Filter

http://www.focalfilter.com/

 
  • PC
  • Free
  • Works with all browsers
  • Quick and easy

 

 Can unblock by rebooting
Social Network Controller  http://www.socialnetworkcontroller.com/index.php?lang=en

 
  • PC
  • Can block for days, hours, weeks
  • Control access to social networks like – Facebook

– Twitter
– MySpace
– Linkedin
-Flickr
– Badoo / Bebo
– Habbo / Hi5
– YouTube
– MSN

 Unclear whether the 10 day trial version is free 

Professional version costs $9.49

 

Company not based in

Facebook  Limiter         http://facebooklimiter.com/
  • PC
  • Free
  • Block Facebook for a period of time
  • Block Facebook during work hours or to study

 Only blocks Facebook 

Professional versions available :

$14.99 indiv.

$19.99 family

$99.99 corp

Leech Block          https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/leechblock/

 
  • Mac or PC
  • Free
  • Specify up to six sets of sites to block
  • Block sites within fixed time periods
  • Set a password for access to the extension options
  • Keeps track of the total amount of time you have spent browsing

 

 Doesn’t work overnight (e.g., can’t set it to block from 9pm Tues to 8am Weds)
Self Control http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/31289/selfcontrol

 

 
  • Mac OS X app
  • Free
  • Blocks access to incoming and outgoing servers
  • Lets you decide what to block:
    – email
    -Facebook, etc.
  • For designated times
  • Cannot be undone by restarted computer
  • Must wait for time block to run out
 Cannot be unblocked, even in an emergency 

Must wait for time block to run o

The Web Blocker http://www.thewebblocker.com/
  • PC
  • Free
  • Block any website
  • Content Filtering (internet filter)
  • block adult content
  • Use preloaded block lists including gambling, social networking and game-playing sites.
  • Monitor internet history
  • White List allows users to pass specific sites through the filter.

 

 Cannot easily unblock websites – must uninstall program 

Leaves behind a hidden folder

 

No key logger

 

Targeted to parents

 

 
Anti-Social
http://anti-social.cc/

 
  • Mac
  • Block distractions from friends
  • Turns off the social parts of the internet
  • Blocks up to 8 hours
 Free trial 

Costs $15

 

Can reboot to unblock
Freedom
http://macfreedom.com/

 
  • Mac or PC
  • Forerunner to “Anti-Social”

 

 10 free uses 

Costs $10.00 after free trial

 

Can reboot to unblock

 

In previous versions, YouTube was blocked by default. This is no longer the case.
Concentrate

http://getconcentrating.com/
  • Mac
  • Money back guarantee
  • Customizable
  • Easy blocking and unblocking
  • Set up “growls” to keep you on task
 Free 60 hour trial 

Costs $29

 

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