Firefox widgets
The following are enhancements I've built for the Firefox web browser. Some of the scripts will require the Greasemonkey extension for use. In my spare time, I'm working to combine the functionality of both of these into a single Firefox extension.
iCloak (Greasemonkey script)
iCloak blocks distracting websites for you when you're trying to get work done.
Are you an internet addict who's falling behind because there's just too much good stuff to read out there? Use iCloak to stop surfing during those hours when you need to get work done. By default, iCloak is set up to run daily from Monday to Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM, with an hour-long break at noon so you can relax over your lunch hour. If those days and times aren't what you want, iCloak is easy to edit to adapt to your own schedule. Do you work past midnight or through the weekend? Don't worry, iCloak can handle that!
This script is a robust update of the Invisibility Cloak script by Gina Trapani of Lifehacker.com
Before you install, you'll need to have Firefox with the Greasemonkey extension installed. Then just click here and choose to install.
SurfBlinders (Greasemonkey script)
Sick of going to Wikipedia for one thing and losing hours as you read article after article? You can't just block all of that useful information, but you need to prevent a sample from turning into a binge. Sound familiar? Then you need Surfblinders to help you focus!
Surfblinders cuts surfing short by forcing you to take a timeout between pages of the sites that are useful, but distracting. By default, Surfblinders forces you to take a ten minute break between loading one limited access page and another. Need more or less time? It's easy to change! Also it's set up to only be in effect during the normal 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday workweek, but don't worry, lunches are off the record! If you need more customization, these settings are easy to edit too.
Before you install, you'll need to have Firefox with the Greasemonkey extension installed. Then just click here and choose to install.