ksmith: (Default)
2011-08-02 07:30 pm
Entry tags:

Freedom!

It's software. Specifically, it's a tool that blocks internet access for a period of time that you specify. I think the upper limit is 4 hours. In order to get back online within your designated blocking period, you need to reboot your system.

I tried it for the first time last night. Set it for 120 minutes. It was nice. Yes, I could have rebooted, or gone to the office where the iBook sat, still surfworthy. But I had a number of files open and had started working, and shutting them all down and starting over was just too much trouble, as was getting up and going to another room.

The experiment wasn't completely successful, as I dozed off about a half hour into my work session. One of the dangers of working on the couch when one has had a long day.

Anyway, Freedom is out there, and if it only takes a nudge to keep you offline, it may be the tool for you.

Thus endeth the PSA.
ksmith: (Default)
2007-10-28 11:36 am
Entry tags:

Hmm

I use my iBook a lot, to the point that it's become my default writing computer. This is due to its portability, mostly.

But it's almost 4 years old, and things are starting to get iffy. I can't connect to the internet anymore. I remove the cable that's connected to the iMac, plug it in, and nothing. I don't know if the Airport Extreme card that I installed is interfering in some way (yes, I have the card, but no router up and running, so no wireless internet), or if the port itself is the issue.

This morning, I plugged in my USB Reader/Writer with flash card to transfer a file, and it took four unplug/plug-in attempts for the iBook to register the presence of the card.

yes, I'm wondering whether I should be considering a MacBook, or a refurbed iBook. Not that I particularly want to spend the money right now--if port repair is a simple fix, I should go with that. I don't need a new laptop. Really. I don't.
ksmith: (Default)
2007-10-28 11:36 am
Entry tags:

Hmm

I use my iBook a lot, to the point that it's become my default writing computer. This is due to its portability, mostly.

But it's almost 4 years old, and things are starting to get iffy. I can't connect to the internet anymore. I remove the cable that's connected to the iMac, plug it in, and nothing. I don't know if the Airport Extreme card that I installed is interfering in some way (yes, I have the card, but no router up and running, so no wireless internet), or if the port itself is the issue.

This morning, I plugged in my USB Reader/Writer with flash card to transfer a file, and it took four unplug/plug-in attempts for the iBook to register the presence of the card.

yes, I'm wondering whether I should be considering a MacBook, or a refurbed iBook. Not that I particularly want to spend the money right now--if port repair is a simple fix, I should go with that. I don't need a new laptop. Really. I don't.