Overview

StayFocusd is a productivity extension that can be installed on the Google Chrome browser. Once installed, the software can be set to restrict how much time is spent browsing different web sites instead of getting things done that need doing. The extension can be used in a globally manner by blocking certain types of domains or sub domains globally, or it can ge configurated to allow certain amounts of access during certain periods of the day. Therefore, Facebook can be an authorized site during work hours but only for a limited period of time sufficient to perform genuine business research whilst not enough time to get completely lost in the site for hours.

Installation

The extension can be installed directly from the Chrome store for extensions. The web browser receives the file, recognizes it as an extension, and then will ask permission to install it. Once it is installed, the extension can be used right away.

It does need to be configured to get the more out of it otherwise it will either be too strict or not strict enough out of the box (depending on the POV of the individual user).

Interface

The interface calls for a donation at the top of the page via PayPal. Below this is the left side with the category options and the right side for option customization. Click on a different category with completely change what is displayed on the right side of this extension's settings page.

Set the active days and active hours to separate work time from personal time. Go to the blocked sites category to add the sites to block. Allowed sites is like the whitelist of sites that are acceptable to use during the day. The Nuclear option is for global blocking options. Require challenge is a nice extra option that requires the user to jump through the hoops a little bit to accomplish what they want to do on the web. There is also a Customize Interface option to change the layout a bit.

Pros

• Work management / productivity extension for Chrome
• Set work days and work hours to restrict what sites can be seen during busy times
• Create a blocking list for sites
• Create a whitelist for sites
• Set time limits for access to important sites that have a dual purpose (work / personal)
• Block other sites completely during certain times

Cons

None.

Conclusion

StayFocusd is a scarily efficient extension for Chrome that will help users block access to sites or limit their timed access during working hours to help them get more accomplished in the day.