blockr
Productivity
focus and distraction blocking
SHOW HN2012
118points
96comments
#174of 1,677 in 2012
Top 11%of 2012 by points
How HN took it
MixedNo clear lean
7 positive, 15 neutral or asking, 2 mixed, 17 critical, out of 41 comments about the project. Thread score -0.25.
Idea: 5 for, 9 againstExecution: 1 for, 7 againstDesign: 0 for, 1 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Works well and persists after reboot
From 1 comment
Ok, now that I used this app I'm totally impressed. It even continues blocking after rebooting. Ha! Awesome. I banged off almost 1000 words yesterday and had to shut down because…
vipervpn on HN
Simple, fun utility
From 1 comment
Per usual on HN, I think people take simple, fun utilities like this way too serious and try inject some philosophical ideal about loving your work blah blah blah. They dont get…
nkeating on HN
Objections
Forcing yourself to work is a sign of a deeper problem
From 2 comments
If what you're working on is important enough and you love it enough, you would never need this. If not, then maybe you're working on the wrong thing. Let's stop treating the…
edw519 on HNThis seems like it would be more of a hindrance than a help. Implementing anything to force yourself to code is a good indicator that you really don't want to code in the first…
ruswick on HN
Blocking all internet hurts coding, since search and Stack Overflow are needed
From 3 comments
Does this block all internet? How can you code well without resort to some googling? Edit: By this I mean it would be preferable if I can leave some sites up, like SO for instance.
why-el on HNThis seems like it would be more of a hindrance than a help. Implementing anything to force yourself to code is a good indicator that you really don't want to code in the first…
ruswick on HNwhat if i need to search for a solution to something or find out if it's a bug in IDE or it's me doing something wrong? doesn't seems like a very good idea to me personally. just…
yamalight on HN
Browser extension adds clutter and can be uninstalled
From 2 comments
Awesome app. I'll check it out. But I wish it wasn't a browser plugin. Too many browser plugins are bogging up my browsing experience.
vipervpn on HNBut you can always uninstall the extension. Can we discipline ourselves, is the question.
justhw on HN
Sign-up or account page errors
From 2 comments
If I download the Extension without an account I see a giant error page with lots of debug information at /write/.
verganileonardo on HNMy email address is longer then 30 characters so I had to use javascript to input it. Still doesn't look like it worked though not sure if your no longer accepting new users or…
wavesounds on HN
Requests
Whitelist or exceptions for specific sites
From 3 comments
Currently you will have to open a different browser if you want to google something. I'm considering adding a blacklisting/whitelisting option but I was going for minimalism with…
jsm on HNCan you allow specific site exceptions? I'd like to check specific coding education sites and my local server. Other than that issue, great app!
Jazear on HNDoes this block all internet? How can you code well without resort to some googling? Edit: By this I mean it would be preferable if I can leave some sites up, like SO for instance.
why-el on HN
OS-level blocking
From 1 comment
I want this but at the OS level (windows in my case) with white lists.
mistermann on HN
Bitbucket integration
From 1 comment
can u also provide bitbucket integration?
abhi_mehta on HN
Questions
Does it block all internet access?
From 1 comment
Does this block all internet? How can you code well without resort to some googling? Edit: By this I mean it would be preferable if I can leave some sites up, like SO for instance.
why-el on HN
Alternatives named
StayFocusd
From 2 comments
StayFocusd is currently my favorite plugin for this purpose https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/laankejkbhbdhmipfmgcngdelahlfoji However, adding a rewards/gamification…
danso on HNI have been trying to use tools (Stayfocusd, Rescuetime, /etc/hosts) to enforce self-control and discipline. Didn't work. Realization - it seemed like trying to shut your eyes…
alagu on HN
SelfControl
From 1 comment
SelfControl[0] is an OS X application that lets you set up a black list. It's free, and works great for me. [0]: http://visitsteve.com/made/selfcontrol/
RegEx on HN
Morphine Chrome extension
From 1 comment
I saw it on HN a while ago, but I've been liking morphine: regulate distractions You configure the websites to block, and when you try to access a blocked site it lets you create…
engtech on HN
Quiet
From 1 comment
I prefer to just use a tool that simply removes distraction instead, like Quiet (http://wireload.net/products/quiet/).
mvip on HN