A Firefox extension to “block” it for some minutes to prevent being distracted?

Question

do you know of any Firefox extension which could put the browser itself in a "blocked" state (not accepting input from the user) for a certain amount of time (configurable by a timer) and then get back to normal behaviour?

I was in fact looking for a way to prevent me to go and check emails, news, .. on the Internet while doing other more important tasks, and although one could claim to use more "discipline", I think forcing the browser to not be able to receive inputs from the user could be a better solution :)

Answer 1

Just use the following code. It will open an alert box, and everytime you close it, a new one will popup, until the timer expires. Crude, but should work.

javascript:(function(){var d = new Date().getTime()+1000*60*(prompt("Block for how many minutes?", "5"));while(new Date().getTime()<d){alert("Your are blocked! If you close this modal alert box another one will replace it until the timer expires, which will be in "+Math.ceil((d-new Date().getTime())/1000/60)+" minutes. Go do your work!");}})();

Copy it into the address bar, then drag the favicon to your bookmarks toolbar and give it a name. Any time you need a break, click on the bookmark, enter how many minutes it should block for, and you are set.

Answer 2

Hide all shortcuts from it, install it in some cryptic place (deep, deep in the folder hierarchy), activate the "save tabs on close", and close it when you want to "block" it.

This way, when you will have the urge to launch it back, you will have the time to rethink about it (as opposed to switching to it in taskbar, or clicking an easy-access shortcut).

It's a rather annoying method, but you talk about it like a dependency, an addiction. Because besides, just close it when you don't want to be distracted, you won't lose your current navigation, if you save session. It can take a lot of willpower to do that, but so far the most effective.

Answer 3

If you’re on a Mac I recommend the SelfControl app. It’s not a Firefox extension, but it does what you want:

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.

Answer 4

Not exactly what you're asking for, but the add-ons in thiis link are in the spirit of your request: 4 Firefox Plugins to Stop Time Wasting.

I also remember seeing one that enforced periodic screen breaks, something along the lines of disabling Firefox for 10 minutes every hour, that could maybe be modified for what you want, but my Google-fu is failing me on this one now.

Answer 5

Stealth Kiwi (which requires the Greasemonkey extension) will block access to the pages you tell it to most of the time, with a 10 minute break available every hour.

Answer 6

I've used Leechblock, which seemed pretty good! I'd recommend it.