The beauty of SelfControl is that its clarity and simplicity mean that there is nothing to distract or confuse while using the program. One can check the time left by simply re-opening the program. SelfControl is blocking those tempting websites, and will keep them blocked until the timer reads “00.00.” A user can close SelfControl to de-clutter their screen, but it will continue to work. Once a user clicks on “Start,” a countdown appears. It is easy to remove anything from the list with a click of the minus button (before you actually start the timer!). Though the labeling could be more clear to provide better visibility, users are given immediate feedback from the program, as it adds the email server to their blacklist. It allows a user to block outgoing and incoming email from their email servers. “Import” is the one thing I don’t think is completely clear to average users. If a user selects “Whitelist” a warning screen pops up to explain the implications (see the screenshot below).
I’ve discussed blacklisting – so what about a whitelist? Creating a whitelist means that users can visit all the sites on their list and no others. Type in the URL of the website, and that’s it.
#SELFCONTROL BLACKLIST IMPORT PLUS#
It is a simple screen, and with only the possible actions available to users: an example of what Norman would call “constraints.” To add a site, simply click on the plus sign, and a cursor will appear. The plus and minus signs at the bottom are clear indications of adding and subtracting sites to the list. This screen is an example of good visibility, because everything that needs to be done is obvious.
You can see in the screenshot above which sites tend to distract me from my work. To be completely clear, perhaps, the slider should move up to increase the amount, and down to decrease, but I think the horizontal design is sufficiently clear, especially for those of us who read left-to-right.īefore a user clicks on “Start” they, need to create a Blacklist of sites to block. Further, it is well labeled and gives good feedback to users: the amount of time is visible at the bottom left of the screen and responds immediately to the slider’s movements.
It moves from “Disabled” at the far left to “A Day” at the far right in 15-minute increments. Sliding it to the right increases the amount of time, and sliding it to the left decreases the amount of time. That time slider is an example of good mapping. Each of these three elements is a clue for using the software: to begin, you will need to set a time limit, create a blacklist of sites (or edit as necessary), and press the start button. When the program opens, you see a minimal screen with a start button, a time slider, and a button that says “Edit Blacklist.” This is an example of what Donald Norman called “affordances” in The Design of Everyday Things. SelfControl is easy to use even for the first time, and users can always tell what is going on. SelfControl then makes it impossible for users to access those websites for that amount of time you can switch browsers or restart your computer, but nothing will allow you to check Twitter until your time is up. Procrastinating, compulsive checkers of social media can add sites that they know tempt and distract them to a blacklist, and set a timer.
#SELFCONTROL BLACKLIST IMPORT SOFTWARE#
It is a free, open source software that allows users to block their own access to websites for a set period of time. SelfControl, the most intimidating icon in my laptop’s dock, is the key to my academic success, and, I will argue, an example of good design.
0 kommentar(er)
