HOWTO | RESTRICT INTERNET ACCESS WITH SELF CONTROL

1

Install SelfControl

If you find it difficult to discipline yourself through the working day, delegate responsibility to SelfControl, which blocks specific sites or total internet access. If you’re running OS X 10.7 or later, get the latest version from selfcontrolapp.com – for OS X 10.5 or 10.6, download the previous edition using the link below the main download button. Unpack and launch it.

2

Build blocks

Click Edit Blacklist, then the ‘+’ on the bottom of the floating panel, and add the name of the first site you want to block. Repeat this for every site that distracts you when you should be working. To block all internet access, including email, add ‘*’. Bear in mind that some apps use less obvious domains, so while Twitter is at twitter.com, you may also need to add app.twitter.com.

3

Start blocking

Use the slider to specify how long – between 15 minutes and one day – access to your listed sites should be blocked. When you’re ready to start working, click Start, enter your administrator password, and the lock will be in place until it expires. Rebooting won’t get around the block, and neither will uninstalling SelfControl, so just sit straight and start working.