Is email a distraction? SelfControl is an OS X application which blocks access to incoming and/or outgoing mail servers and websites for a predetermined period of time. For example, you could block access to your email, facebook, and twitter for 90 minutes, but still have access to the rest of the web. Once started, it can not be undone by the application, by deleting the application, or by restarting the computer – you must wait for the timer to run out.
Created while at Eyebeam Center for Art and Technology. Free Software under the GPL. Sourcecode on Github, and ticket system on the eyebeam dev site. Feel free to make improvements, linux ports, etc. Thanks to Charlie Stigler for developing the application.
If you have trouble, please try the FAQ before contacting me.
Download SelfControl
Download SelfControl 1.3 – (released September 1, 2010) includes bug fixes, 24 hour blocking, and Jay Williams’ UI improvements. Feel free to make your own contributions to the code as well on github.
Automate SelfControl with an AppleScript
Karl James Pestka wrote an AppleScript to automate SelfControl. Information on it is on macosxhints.com.
Help port SelfControl to Linux!
After a conversation on metafilter, a coder called zangargoyle stepped up and started on SelfControl for Linux. Visit zengargoyle’s SelfControl page, test out the software, submit a bug or a patch…
Related Software & Projects
Related projects you might enjoy. Mostly made by other people, but may be of interest.
- Freedom – block all internet access for set periods of time. by Fred Stutzman – Free but not open source.
- Spirited Away – automatically hides windows you’re not using anymore. by Drikin – Free but not open source.
- Concentrate blocks sites, allows sites, launches and quits apps, and more (but you can disable it) by Rocket Software. Free to try, then costs, and not open source.
- RescueTime scheduled, timetracker, etc. Free plan, but full features are $/mo. Not open source.
- Oh, and Add-Art – a web browser plugin that replaces advertising with art. (I worked on this too)
Why did you make this?
Because I needed it, same as you. Charlie Stigler was kind enough to code it based on my sketches for the handsome fee of $125 (I think he charges more now). And now we’re giving it away (and the code too) because we want it to be useful.
I am an artist, and as anyone who creates things knows; the time you can block out to get focused work done is invaluable. Hopefully this will help you focus on whatever you need to do, from creating that project, writing your novel, studying for your exams, or whatever you want to do. Good luck.
P.S. Before you eliminate procrastination from your life, maybe have a look around my site first?
Help out
Has SelfControl been helpful to you? Would you like to see a certain feature implemented? If you met us in person, would you buy us a drink?
