Hey guys,
I read somewhere (here I think:) ) that there were programs that you can get that will allow you to set specific times during which your computer (or certain programs) will be "locked" so that you can't get distracted by going online, playing games etc. Have any of you heard of any for OS X (Mac) and if so where I could get them?

I'd like a program that keeps me from going to forums except for one hour every day :)

that would really be useful to me....actually i'm not really sure, usually if something is stopping me from doing something i somehow find ways around it, i see it as a challenge i have to complete.

....shame i don't see assignments in that way.

It's funny, when I was a kid my parents used to try this same technique on me - doing things to try to force me into getting my responsibilities done. Like making me do my homework at the kitchen table while my mom cooked dinner. That way I could not get sidetracked without her seeing me.

Now, my parents were great, I love them, and they were only trying to help - but it didn't work then, and it doesn't work now. I would just sit there and daydream instead of studying. Today, as a 30 year old adult, I've found that when I put physical barriers in between me and some distraction, it works, but there is always some other distraction to fill the void.

This is one of the main things that convinces me there is something beyond my control, i.e., ADD going on.

:mad: :eek: :mad: :faint:

Seriously, if such a thing existed it would be amazing. I've thought about finding a really cheap used laptop and stripping it of everything except MS Office for just that purpose. I doubt I'll ever get around to it, but it might work.

You won't find a program that keeps you from UNLOCKING your computer too...

"OH man I really wanna go get on the forums instead of doing this paper, right click/remove program."

Mac Minder does all that, and it works really well for me:

http://www.lumacode.com/macminder/

We have 2 computers at home that are linked together. We have the main router set to certain times each day to the kids computer which can only be set from our system, which we password protect :-) Their net drops out at 6pm weekdays and 11pm weekends.. but that would only be good if you are linked to a main system though!!

For me, it's called "give the power supply to your roommate and don't let him give it back to you until you get your damn homework done."

It works remarkably well.

E-Quill-Liberator

http://www.download.com/E-Quill-Liberator-Nib/3000-2110_4-10420446.html

I use this program sometimes for autoclicking purposes releases tensions. But one time it made my computer freeze "apparently I turned on a pause timer" and I went into shock mode hehe. Never thought someone would enjoy such a thing thou:)

have fun

I would just unlock it on my own computer!

... Now, my parents were great, I love them, and they were only trying to help - but it didn't work then, and it doesn't work now. I would just sit there and daydream instead of studying. Today, as a 30 year old adult, I've found that when I put physical barriers in between me and some distraction, it works, but there is always some other distraction to fill the void. You're right. Such barriers don't do much good unless YOU put them there and YOU want to be restrained from going off task. If you are already committed to a thing, it may be enough to have a little shove or prompt to get back on track because back on track is where you want to be. But if it's imposed from outside (like by boss or parents) you have to be determined to stick with the thing for the barrier to have much effect.

That is not said to make you wrong for "attitude" but to underline that ADD impacts motivation enormously. Resisting it is like not scratching an itch -- you have a big internal hurdle to jump that others don't.

If you use Linux, you could setup selinux with very fine grained security features such that particular files and programs are only available at certain hours and only with a password.

It is complex, and a ton of work, but doable if you have the skill with linux.
I thik it is probably beyond the ability of the average computer user because it requyires a lot of specialized knowledge.

ME :D

Hey guys,
I read somewhere (here I think:) ) that there were programs that you can get that will allow you to set specific times during which your computer (or certain programs) will be "locked" so that you can't get distracted by going online, playing games etc. Have any of you heard of any for OS X (Mac) and if so where I could get them?

I use ContentProtect on my son's laptop. Works like a charm! I can block or allow lots of different activities, even the time of day he can be on the net. This is a great program for all! It even has a feature that sends an e-mail to me telling me if he's on and something has been blocked.

Don't know if this will help if YOU are the controler and the user! :)

For me, it's called "give the power supply to your roommate and don't let him give it back to you until you get your damn homework done."

It works remarkably well.Wouldn't work for me, I have spares all over the house and in the car!

my computer dual boots between windows and linux. That way if I want to play a game or watch movies, I have to restart the computer and change the boot order in the bios. Of course, linux is getting better and better, and most stuff I can do in windows is now available in linux too. It's still effectively preventing me from playing most of my games though.

You could always set up a linux partition with just office software on it, or even a special windows partition with all your work software on it. That way you'd have to restart your computer to get back to your regular partition. Plus you wouldn't need any extra software, except maybe something to repartition your hard drive.