Is there anyway you can temporarily ban yourself ?

[daftpunk]

I'm half way through my degree - I have 4 (heavy) assingments to complete by the end of March. I've always got my phone on me these days & it's just too easy to flick through twitter/mumsnet. The problem I have with MN is I get too involved on certain threads and end up spending hours/days on them. This is a complete waste of my time.
pathetically weak willed of me I know, but I think it's the only answer.

Is it possible? ( say 4 months ?)

I'm sure you could find a way to get yourself banned somehow

I don't know, try emailing HQ?

yes,

you e-mail mnhq and ask.

I do it lots, and get lots done
They are very nice about it.

Although mnhq don't believe me when then ban me I can't lurk either. I get the Talk: and Threads: headers at the top and then a whole big blank screen of nothing.

Oh fantastic !
I will email them.

I don't want access to the site at all - I need to go total cold turkey. - I want it (temporarily) out of my life forever!

I need all the help I can get I tell ya ... Lol

Alternatively (and assuming you're using Windows), start notepad and then open the file called c:/windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts.

At the end of that file add a line saying:

127.0.0.1 mumsnet.com

Save the file (making sure that it's saved as a file just called hosts. Notepad will try to save it as hosts.txt), restart the computer and you should find mumsnet is no longer accessible.

Your broadband router may also have a configuration option to block access to specific sites.

Oh thank you snorbs - I'll try that before pestering HQ!

There are two different 'add on's for Firefox.

One is called Leechblock where sites can be blocked at particular times. Another is called Self Control.

Both seem to offer the ability to block specific web sites during particular hours. Leechblock has an override (which can itself be stopped to prevent a weak-willed person from succumbing to temptation !!)

Hi networkguy;

Thank you for info; Ironically I haven't had time today to sort any of this out.

Can I just ask a quick question before I start fiddling with techy stuff, Will I have sites blocked from my iPhone too? Because my problem is more phone based ( I am permanently attached to it ) rather than computer based iyswim ?

TIA

DP

No, you would need to block MN on each different device that gives internet access.

The 'hosts' file method will work for Windows and any linux/Apple systems where you can find/edit the hosts file... Not sure how easy or difficult on mobile devices, as one would have to tinker with 'system files' and not all might allow that, including iPhone, sorry.

If you are permanently attached, it must get various nasty bugs on it when you have been to the loo :) Best option is to lend it to me (so you will be unable to be tempted) and use a dumber mobile with just voice calls, texting (oh, and I will find you a cheap one under 25 quid with FM radio so you have something to listen to while on the train!)

Seriously, I suspect you will be better off getting MNHQ to block your account for a period... and if we spot you before end of March, we will get you blocked on any alternative persona you use to get your fix!

High Level Warning - there will be seriously tempting topics posted at variable intervals in random subject areas to entrap you

Entrapment ? .... hmm ....I like it. ( am I that obvious re; treads I'm drawn to ? )

Ok - you have deal. I won't bother emailing HQ - it sounds too complicated and won't solve the phone problem. The deal is - I will ban myself until end of March without technological help. if you spot me posting you have my full permission to ban me ( put some sort of tracking device on my name .... ( what do you mean there's been one on me for years ? )

and yes, I put the phone down sometimes - 20% of the time I'm not even sure where it is >

Ok - that's it - hopefully catch up with you in April ( why haven't I spoken to you before ? - you sound tres lovely )

I would pay to get myself blocked sometimes.

£5 for a month off MN and a tidy house at the end of it. Result.

Daftpunk.... you will be missed!!

Have a good Christmas & a Happy New Year.

See you next year!! :)

CI - I bet if enough people contribute to a Happy Christmas Daftpunk thread, she will come out of hiding and claim she has really been working hard, but just spotted the thread by chance.

I will be first to post "You are Daftpunk, in disguise, and I claim my 50 pounds" (as she has an iPhone it has been bumped up from five pounds :) )

Hope you get on OK with your studies, and have a great time over the Festive Season, DP.

Actually, e-mail to MNHQ to suspend your account would solve the iPhone problem (unless the problem is just using the iPhone for general internet browsing, aka time wasting !!) as the method used by MNHQ would limit iPhone access too.

Firefox would show a warning page and nothing from MN at all... so you would not even be able to read threads.

Good to know my phone can be blocked too.
But y'know - I think I'll be ok at self banning ( knowing the option is there is enough I think) I'm not usually bothered about wasting time on MN -.just zero time at the moment and don't want any distractions.
Thanks again for all your help and advice NWG - I deliberately tucked this away in site stuff as I wanted quiet thoughtful advice - I can do understatement very well.

Anyway - this will be my last post until next spring, just wanted to wish everyone on this thread a very HaPpY ChRiStMaS and a peaceful and lovely new year. Plus a very happy Christmas to everyone on MN - yes even you and especially you

Stay funky !

Self banning - yep - it's works really well - I'm on week 4!!

Happy Christmas (again) !!

Have a brilliant New Year

See you with the daffs!

daftpunk spotted posting on 12/12/2010.

That didn't last long, did it.

I have already claimed my reward

:)

at the lastest sighting

Wonder if I should impose a ban too

Looks like DP has not come back...

has MN changed out of all recognition in the last 6 months, sufficient she has not found anything to argue with ? :)

(OK, just hoping to provoke DP into a comment if lurking... will use a PM in a few days if no response!)

NG - I think you missed a whole lot of drama :(