Freedom

Freedom is an application that disables networking on an Apple computer for up to eight hours at a time. Freedom will free you from the distractions of the internet, allowing you time to code, write, or create. At the end of your selected offline period, Freedom re-enables your network, restoring everything as normal.

Freedom enforces freedom; a reboot is the only circumvention of the Freedom time limit you specify. The hassle of rebooting means you're less likely to cheat, and you'll enjoy enhanced productivity. Freedom is free, but if you find Freedom useful, please consider a donation of ten dollars to fund continuing development.

Apr 27, 2009 0

Announcing Freedom v0.5

I’m proud to announce Freedom v0.5 is now available for public download. This version addresses a number of issues with programs that require network access, offers greater stability, and now allows donors to turn off the request for donations you see when Freedom’s time expires.

Download the new version directly (http://macfreedom.com/wp-content/dmg/Freedom.dmg) or from the website (http://macfreedom.com). Previous donors have already been sent a registration code, but if I’ve missed you, please drop me a line and I’ll send you a code. To employ the code, select the “Register” option at the end of your Freedom session. This will only work with the most recent version of Freedom, and this code is perpetual. New donors will be sent a code upon receipt of their donation (generally within 12 hours).

Full changelog:

Freedom 0.5
Addressing Microsoft Word bug
Allow for registration/kill the nag screen
Better support for applications that require some form of network access
Better support for remote filesystems
Better stability

Your donations made this new version possible. As usual, please let me know of your bugs, problems and feature requests.

Apr 22, 2009 0

Freedom Featured on the Unclutterer

Freedom recieved a nice writeup on the Unclutterer, a great blog about productivity and organization.

Since our employers pay us to work and not goof off, though, we have an obligation to stay focused (at least most of the time). If getting down to work is difficult for you and jumping online is your preferred method of procrastination, you should check out Freedom for the Mac.

Personally, I think Freedom is the ultimate unclutterer!

Apr 14, 2009 0

Freedom Makes the Very Short List

Some very cool news – Freedom was featured as the April 14 item on the Very Short List. Here’s what the editors have to say:

Freedom is a free Web app that disables your computer’s Internet connection for up to eight hours. In other words, it’s the Internet addict’s version of putting a lock on the liquor cabinet.

If the withdrawal symptoms get too intense, you can take extreme measures: A system reboot restores your online capability. But stay strong, and the lack of distraction might allow you to start that novel, or finish those home repairs. Sadly, the application works only with Macs: PC users will have to rely on more old-fashioned strategies to break their Net habits. Camping, perhaps?

Current Version: 0.5.1

Freedom is free to use. Download and open Freedom.dmg, then drag Freedom.app to your Applications folder. Mac OS X only, tested through 10.6.1.

Support Freedom

Your secure donation of ten dollars will fund continuing development of Freedom.

Follow Freedom

Twitter.com/fstutzman

More Information

Writers on Freedom

Jason Snell, legendary Mac journalist and editorial director, Mac Publishing (publisher of MacWorld): "There may be no bigger boon to Mac productivity.."

Rebecca Traister, writer, Salon and New York Magazine: "I have gotten an immense amount of work done.."

David Sirota, author of New York Times Bestsellers Hostile Takeover (Three Rivers) and The Uprising (Crown): "The greatest tool for work efficiency in Apple programming history."

Dennis Cass, journalist and author of Head Case (HarperCollins): "To say that it’s changed my life is an understatement."

Doree Shafrir, author of Love, Mom: Poignant, Goofy, Brilliant Messages from Home (Hyperion) and writer/editor New York Observer, Gawker, Philadelphia Weekly: "45 minutes of Freedom=844 words written. It's a miracle, I tell you!."

Leo Babauta, editor of Zen Habits and author of The Power of Less (Hyperion): "When I need to do serious work, I try to remove distractions by closing the browser to do actual work. If I find myself opening the browser too much, I’ll use a utility (such as Freedom) to shut off the Internet altogether."

All quotes unsolicited, and sourced from content posted to the web. No endorsement implied.