Is there any app for the Mac that will, at my request, block access to the computer for a while? To force me to go do something else... :-)
Asked by
rexpresso (
922
)
December 9th, 2009
from IM
I need to tidy my room, for example. I keep coming to the computer, to change music, whatever. If I had a way to totally lock the computer for, say, ten minutes, that would be great! I know stuff like this exists for Windows… thanks!
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
10 Answers
“Yep, there’s an app for that.”
seriously, I don’t know, but knowing mac I bet there is one.
Yes, it is the off button.
Something about this idea scares me, but I second @ChazMaz just turn it off. If you want to listen to music get a docking station or a hook up for your stereo. Don’t act like you don’t have an iPod, lol :P
Question: what is the windows equivalent?
@ChazMaz: come on now… the OP wanted a specific answer to a specific question.
to answer it myself, look through MacUpdate. through MacUpdate, I did see a program called Self Control which enables you to block specific websites for a limited period of time. (though it works too well. once I block a site through Self Control, I can never un-block it.)
@Ria777 exactly why this idea is not a good one IMO.
I just make sure that I can afford to not go to the site ever again. (actually, though, I can, if I use a cache of the page.) I have found, though, that once I stop going to the site again for a while, my interest in the page decays, so it works as a form of behavioral modification.
anyway, I just went to MacUpdate and found a number of programs by doing a search for “shutdown”. two things, though: a) you can schedule a shutdown using System Preferences anyway (go to Energy Saver) and b) I didn’t see (at a glance) any programs which wold prevent you from simply turning on your computer.
can I suggest that you perhaps change your password before you log out and then hide the password in some place inconvenient for you to find, but, not, obviously impossible, to recover. afterwards simply change your password back to something easier to remember.
Wow. I take back the suggestion of just shutting it off.
At least that is what I do.
Instead. Next time you feel the need to get away from your PC.
Get in your car and drive away as slow as possible for the next 10 hours.
Makes sure you leave the iron and coffee machine on.
This may be a work around.
Go to the Apple > System Preferences > Security.
Check “Require password to wake this computer from sleep or screen saver.”
Set your screen saver to start relatively quickly (within a few minutes) and then go do what you need to do.
Answer this question 
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.
Composing members:
0
