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How to block the internet at certain times of the day

C

ChanelCinq

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 23, 2011
15
0
San Juan, Puerto Rico
I recently discovered Leechblocker for Firefox. I was so happy. I set it to block the internet completely from 11PM to 7AM so I was FORCED to get offline and go to bed.

Then the third evening I realized that only Firefox was blocked and I could use Chrome or Safari.

So I am looking for something like Leechblocker but that would block the internet completely. I did some searches and Freedom comes up a lot but you cannot set the times in advance. With Freedom when you open it it asks how many minutes do you want the internet blocked for. I want something that will force me to get offline every night that is set in advance and not something I have to turn on because that will not work.

Any ideas?
 
You could turn on Parental Controls from System Preferences and limit the usage of the computer to certain hours. After that, it will lock itself, though you can still use the admin account.
 
dukebound85 said:
Look into this
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/31289/selfcontrol

Is that what you are looking for?

You still have to start it but I suppose you could write an automator script that will have it turn on every day at a certain time

I like this as it is free, compared to Freedom

edit:
looks like you can. Check out this thread
http://macscripter.net/viewtopic.php?id=14030
Click to expand...

I downloaded the Freedom free trial last night and you have to start it, as you stated. If I am doing something even if it is wasting time I won't stop myself. I always go to bed later than I want, even if it is by an hour but sometimes it is 2 or 3 or 4 hours later.

I want something like leechblocker but for the whole internet. But thanks for your help.

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Hellhammer said:
You could turn on Parental Controls from System Preferences and limit the usage of the computer to certain hours. After that, it will lock itself, though you can still use the admin account.
Click to expand...

This will have to be my last resort. But knowing I can change the settings probably will not work. I'll probably do it for a few days and then come up with some excuse for myself. But thanks for the suggestion.

I can't believe no one has made something like leechblocker for the whole internet. You can have 6 different sets. So I had all week nights from 11PM to 7AM and all sites except 3 sites for school.

I had Facebook could only be used for 5 minutes in each hour of the day. I had two more sets. It is awesome but is only for Firefox. I would pay for something like that if it worked on all browsers.
 
Another approach would be to do this on your router. Some commercial router software includes this function, as does OpenWrt and pretty sure dd-wrt.
 
Does your router have a setting in it? The Airport Extreme has a feature I think that allows you to set times when computers cannot access the internet. You would have to set it by IP address. I am at work so I can't check, but I am pretty sure there is such a feature. Perhaps your router has a similar feature.

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Sorry jtara... I was tying my response and didn't see yours...
 
I think that might have been what I was doing last night. I'll see how it works tonight. I think it may reboot the router to do it. That is good because although I can change my own settings if the system reboots the router, there is no way I am going to bother when it has already started.

I'll see what happens. Luckily I no longer have a roommate so it will not affect a roommate's internet.
 
ChanelCinq said:
I think that might have been what I was doing last night. I'll see how it works tonight. I think it may reboot the router to do it. That is good because although I can change my own settings if the system reboots the router, there is no way I am going to bother when it has already started.

I'll see what happens. Luckily I no longer have a roommate so it will not affect a roommate's internet.
Click to expand...

Even if you did have roommates, I am pretty sure you can block specific devices in the event your living situation changes and you want this same behavior in terms of net access
 
ChanelCinq said:
I recently discovered Leechblocker for Firefox. I was so happy. I set it to block the internet completely from 11PM to 7AM so I was FORCED to get offline and go to bed.
Click to expand...
The best option I can give is not an application but recommend self discipline. Not to sound harsh but you're looking at ways to block the internet from yourself yet any solution you employ you can easily undo yourself.

Just turn the computer off and walk away.
 
Many current routers allow you to assign "time of day" connectivity to each individual MAC address that is on the network. So you could turn off the internet access to your Mac, but leave it connected to your iPhone for instance.
 
maflynn said:
The best option I can give is not an application but recommend self discipline. Not to sound harsh but you're looking at ways to block the internet from yourself yet any solution you employ you can easily undo yourself.

Just turn the computer off and walk away.
Click to expand...

maflynn if it was actually that simple do you think I would be posting here? Your comment was quite condescending. If I had the self disipline I would not be asking for help.

Good for you that you have it. I know I am not the only one or there would not be programs like leechblocker or freedom or self control. The names say it all.

I truly wish I could walk away and turn off the computer walk away but instead find myself still up at 5 AM. So that is why I am looking for a solution. I am looking for help, not sarcasm.

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Mike in Kansas said:
Many current routers allow you to assign "time of day" connectivity to each individual MAC address that is on the network. So you could turn off the internet access to your Mac, but leave it connected to your iPhone for instance.
Click to expand...

I think this may have been what I had done the previous night. But I came home from studying last night at 1 AM and while I wanted to go online I couldn't.

And I would have had to reset the router and reboot. So I went to bed. It was great. I am so happy
 
May I Suggest

A far more practical and cost effective method? Apply directly to head with reasonable force at the desired time (set alarm clock before going online)
 

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