- cross-posted to:
- [email protected]
- cross-posted to:
- [email protected]
From the conclusion:
- Support curated digital stimming: Blockers could provide familiar, soothing content that fits neatly into a set amount of time for digital stimming, helping users settle their minds without falling into doomscrolling.
- Use task-based rules over timers: Distractions could be blocked until a specific goal is met (for example, “until I write two pages”) rather than setting arbitrary time limits for focus.
- Use scaffolds, not crutches: Blockers could be framed as a way to build personalized growth and self-acceptance through affirming language that normalizes fluctuating focus.
Internet developers. Please fix the apps!
What else would you like to see in a focus app? Do you know any that do a good job (in the directions above ideally)?
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Yeah I never go anywhere near those things because 1) i don’t want to become dependent on a specific app to function 2) my phone atm doesn’t support anything, it’s a brick that messages people and has chrome browser and that’s it. 3) if you’re using a focus app, your problem is presumably phone, so you should find a way to cut your relationship with phone itself.
I use a FOSS app on Android called DigiPaws and I love it. My use-case is pretty simple: I want any social media or games to be blocked from opening when I’m trying to go to bed.
I make a ‘autofocus’ rule for any apps in my list: web browsers, games, social media… Anything I have been tempted to open when I lie down to sleep, and configure a set time period (I use midnight to 7am) and it just closes those apps whenever i try to run them, with a brief toast message like “Focus mode”.
Super simple. No account or service. No judgement or streaks or any of that gamified shit to make you feel bad, just behaviour management.
It works so well for me that I looked into an option for my PC - but I can’t find anything similar.
If anyone knows of an option on PC/Linux, let me know.
If anyone knows of an option on PC/Linux, let me know.
I use timed firewall rules for my entire network. Really only works if the internet is required, but works across everything. I couple that with screen time on my iPhone so I’m not tempted to get around the firewall by using the cellular network.
I use a Unifi Dream Machine Pro as my router/firewall.
Thanks for this option, firewall rules isn’t one I’d thought of.
I am not an iPhone/iOS fan but I do think their screen time and parental control options (which can be used on yourself) are quite robust and far advanced over Android’s/Windows availavle options - they’re still playing catch-up to what should be an industry norm.
If your distractions are all in the browser, Leechblock is pretty good. It can specify a time when to block a list of sites or URL patterns, or limit time per session and refresh every X hours. It can “soft-block” by making it black&white, or hard-block.
Cool, I’ll check it out. Thanks, every bit helps.
Novel idea: make it so if the user doesnt touch the screen or progress (scroll or something) like within every 30 s, the screen dims and threatens to sleep
Natural, predictable avoidable impediment-consequences > blocking/timers/whatever gimmick.
Learned this from one of my favprite apps of all time that progrsmmed their app such that sometimes it keeps playing even if it goes to sleep from inaction but equally often stops and cuts off play back so yourevincentivized to keep engaging with it in a periodic superstitous way
Very lootbox-esque in some sense. It keeps me the fuck guessing but engaged as fuck
