Comment on Open thread, 3-8 June 2014

Wed, 04 Jun 2014 22:34:41 GMT

I like this idea. It's difficult to implement; I have enough computers, but my attempt at enforcing their roles hasn't worked so well.

I've had better success with weaker, outdated hardware: anything without wireless internet access, for starters. Unfortunately, the fact that it's weaker and outdated means it tends to break, and repairs become more difficult due to lack of official support. Then they sort of disappear whenever things get moved due to being least used, and I'm back to having to put willpower against the most modern bells and whistles in my possession.

Generally speaking, the less powerful the internet capabilities, the better. Perhaps a good idea of the optimal amount of data to use would help pick a service plan that disincentivizes wasteful internet use? Or maybe even dialup, if one can get by without streaming video and high-speed downloads.

Another possibility is office space without internet access. Bonus points if there's a way to make getting there easier than leaving (without going overboard, of course).

Or, a strictly monitored or even public internet connection for work, where anything that is not clearly work-related is visible (hopefully, to someone whose opinion/reaction would incentivize staying on task).

If possible, not even having a personal internet connection, and using public locations (Starbucks? Libraries?) when internet is necessary might be another strategy. If work requires internet access, but not necessarily active, one could make lists of the things that need downloading, and the things that do not, and plan around internet availability (this worked pretty well for me in parts of high school, but your mileage may vary).

These solutions all have something in common: I can't really implement any of them right now, without doing some scary things on the other end of a maze constructed from Ugh Fields, anxiety, and less psychological obstacles. So my suggesting them is based on a tenuous analysis of past experience.

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