Comments on: A solution to wasting time online: set up one computer for web access only, away from your work computer http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/ A survival guide for the 21st century researcher Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:37:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Richard http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-52138 Richard Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:20:20 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/#comment-52138 Despite having digital copies of books, I found that I had to buy the physical thing. Why? Because it's nearly impossible to complete a chapter at a pc. Despite having a truly excellent screen for reading on. The net is too distracting. Since I took over the dining table in a totally seperate room 4 months ago, I've managed to complete an average of 20+ hours a week of intense personal study and acquired a large pile of big books that genuinely get well used. This is from someone who didn't do college A levels etc and wasn't studying before. My personal tip? Do the main study on good old fashioned paper and books. Banish the internet except for very specific tasks indeed or rest/necessary jobs etc. No warranties for my tip...just what I've found. Despite having digital copies of books, I found that I had to buy the physical thing.

Why?

Because it’s nearly impossible to complete a chapter at a pc. Despite having a truly excellent screen for reading on. The net is too distracting.

Since I took over the dining table in a totally seperate room 4 months ago, I’ve managed to complete an average of 20+ hours a week of intense personal study and acquired a large pile of big books that genuinely get well used.

This is from someone who didn’t do college A levels etc and wasn’t studying before.

My personal tip? Do the main study on good old fashioned paper and books. Banish the internet except for very specific tasks indeed or rest/necessary jobs etc. No warranties for my tip…just what I’ve found.

]]> By: busy la, wer http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-47168 busy la, wer Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:31:11 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/#comment-47168 I set up obstacles for myself. For instance, I like to disable my wireless connectivity. Then, when I instinctively click on firefox, the no connection shows up, and its just enough of a hassle to re-enable it that I give up on internet. Of course, that's just one way and its not too effective if you're determined to waste time. I set up obstacles for myself. For instance, I like to disable my wireless connectivity. Then, when I instinctively click on firefox, the no connection shows up, and its just enough of a hassle to re-enable it that I give up on internet. Of course, that’s just one way and its not too effective if you’re determined to waste time.

]]> By: flowers from ecuador http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-36744 flowers from ecuador Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:03:09 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/#comment-36744 working with your computer away from work you must make sure malware isnt performed because its easy to get your files corrupted which will lead into the companys network. working with your computer away from work you must make sure malware isnt performed because its easy to get your files corrupted which will lead into the companys network.

]]> By: Pittsburgh Data Back-up http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-34095 Pittsburgh Data Back-up Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:09:01 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/#comment-34095 Good idea, I find that I waste a lot of time online, looking at nothing, doing nothing, reading nothing important...good tips here. Good idea, I find that I waste a lot of time online, looking at nothing, doing nothing, reading nothing important…good tips here.

]]> By: Email Setup Solution http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-31476 Email Setup Solution Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:23:54 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/#comment-31476 Great ideas...keep going. Great ideas…keep going.

]]> By: Victor http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-29133 Victor Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:15:08 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/#comment-29133 Back when I still had a USB dial-up broadband modem, I did something similar: I unplugged the modem before I started working, because plugging in again and dialing up would take so long that - before I could go online - I came to my senses and returned to my work. Once I had ethernet and WLAN, that trick didn't cut it anymore. So I tried something else: I pledged to myself that, each and every time I caught myself surfing over to one of my favourite procrastination websites (news, movie reviews, gadget and tech blogs) between 10am and 7pm, I would donate 10 Euros to a charity. I only kept it up for two months. Those two months were quite productive, but my dissertation grant just couldn't support that kind of lifestyle. Back when I still had a USB dial-up broadband modem, I did something similar: I unplugged the modem before I started working, because plugging in again and dialing up would take so long that – before I could go online – I came to my senses and returned to my work.

Once I had ethernet and WLAN, that trick didn’t cut it anymore. So I tried something else: I pledged to myself that, each and every time I caught myself surfing over to one of my favourite procrastination websites (news, movie reviews, gadget and tech blogs) between 10am and 7pm, I would donate 10 Euros to a charity. I only kept it up for two months. Those two months were quite productive, but my dissertation grant just couldn’t support that kind of lifestyle.

]]> By: Edwin http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-28928 Edwin Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:03:31 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/#comment-28928 Nice thought, Microsoft couldn't disagree more I'm afraid... Nice thought, Microsoft couldn’t disagree more I’m afraid…

]]> By: Mike http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/comment-page-1/#comment-26366 Mike Mon, 19 May 2008 13:01:06 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/a-solution-to-wasting-time-online-set-up-one-computer-for-web-access-only-away-from-your-work-computer/#comment-26366 I've been making use of a (mac only) program that seems to fall somewhere between this solution and simply turning off your wireless. Its called Freedom, and its donationware. Essentially it disables your wireless/wired ethernet for a given length of time (0-6h). The catch is there's no way to cheat and re-enable the internet before the time is up, unless you decide to reboot your system. It seems to reach a certain no-cheating threshold that seems to keep me on track. I've been finding this program surprisingly useful. You can find it here: http://www.ibiblio.org/fred/freedom/ I’ve been making use of a (mac only) program that seems to fall somewhere between this solution and simply turning off your wireless. Its called Freedom, and its donationware. Essentially it disables your wireless/wired ethernet for a given length of time (0-6h). The catch is there’s no way to cheat and re-enable the internet before the time is up, unless you decide to reboot your system. It seems to reach a certain no-cheating threshold that seems to keep me on track.

I’ve been finding this program surprisingly useful. You can find it here:
http://www.ibiblio.org/fred/freedom/

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