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StayFocusd Blocks and Manages Time-Sucking Web Sites

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/20/2010 - 08:30

Windows/Mac/Linux (Chrome): It's okay to fit a little social networking and not-quite-job-related news reading into your day, but mental limits are hard to stick to. StayFocusd sets timers on the sites you know are addictive, then blocks them when time's up.

Rather than set individual time limits for each site, StayFocusd asks for a total amount of time you want to let yourself spend on all your non-productive sites. Kind of a clever restriction to have, because you just know you'd be heading right over to Twitter once your Facebook timer ran out, and vice-versa. StayFocusd does get specific on site URLs, though. You can timer-block the entirety of Reddit, for example, but leave the link submission section open for use throughout the day.

StayFocusd is a free download, works wherever Chrome Extensions do. For a similar strategy of blocking and controlling time-sink sites on Firefox, check out our guide to saving yourself with LeechBlock.

Chromodoro Adds a Pomodoro Timer to Chrome

Submitted by admin on Mon, 01/18/2010 - 13:00

Google Chrome: If you're a Chrome user that uses the Pomodoro Technique to get things done, you'll definitely want to grab this handy little Pomodoro timer for the Chrome toolbar. Unfamiliar with the Pomodoro Technique? Read on for more details.

We shared the Pomodoro Technique, the brainchild of Francesco Cirillo, with you back in October. While Cirillo has a free e-book on his techniques the basic framework is:

  1. Choose a task to be accomplished
  2. Set the Pomodoro to 25 minutes (the Pomodoro is the timer)
  3. Work on the task until the Pomodoro rings, then put a check on your sheet of paper
  4. Take a short break (5 minutes is OK)
  5. Every 4 Pomodoros take a longer break

Chromodoro is a small Google Chrome extension that puts a little Pomodoro tomato in the toolbar. Clicking the icon starts the timer and when the time is up a break reminder pops up. The default settings are 25 minutes of work/5 minute breaks, but you can tweak the times in the options menu to suit your work situation and needs.