SelfControl VS PostSharp

• Effective Website Blocking
  SelfControl blocks access to distracting websites based on a customizable blocklist, helping users stay focused.
• Timer Functionality
  Users can set a timer for how long they want websites to remain blocked, ensuring focused work periods without distraction.
• Free to Use
  SelfControl is open-source and free to download and use, making it accessible to anyone without financial barriers.
• Easy to Use
  The interface is straightforward and user-friendly, allowing users to quickly set their preferences and get started.

Possible disadvantages

• Mac-Only
  SelfControl is only available for macOS, excluding Windows and Linux users from using the application.
• No Undo Option
  Once the block period is set and started, it cannot be undone even by restarting the computer, which could be an issue if access to blocked sites is needed unexpectedly.
• Limited Feature Set
  The app primarily focuses on website blocking, lacking additional productivity tools or features like app blocking or usage analytics.
• No Scheduled Blocking
  SelfControl does not offer the ability to schedule block sessions in advance, meaning users must manually start each session.

• Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP)
  PostSharp allows developers to implement AOP in .NET projects, which helps in separating cross-cutting concerns like logging, error handling, or validation, making the code cleaner and easier to maintain.
• Code Reusability
  By using aspects, developers can write code that can be easily reused across different parts of an application, reducing redundancy and improving efficiency.
• Maintainability
  PostSharp helps to create a more modular codebase. With cross-cutting concerns handled separately, it becomes easier to manage and modify without affecting the core business logic.
• Performance
  PostSharp weaves aspects into compiled code at build time, which generally leads to better runtime performance compared to other AOP approaches that might involve reflection or dynamic proxies.
• Rich Library of Aspects
  It provides a comprehensive library of pre-built aspects like caching, threading, and security, which can accelerate development by reducing the need to implement common functionalities from scratch.

Possible disadvantages

• Learning Curve
  For developers unfamiliar with AOP, there might be a steep learning curve to understand and effectively leverage PostSharp's capabilities.
• Debugging Complexity
  The abstraction layer introduced by aspects can make debugging more challenging as it might not be immediately clear where certain behaviors or errors originate from.
• Cost
  PostSharp is a commercial product with licensing fees, which might be a concern for small projects or organizations with limited budgets.
• Build Time Overhead
  The process of weaving aspects into the code can increase the time taken for builds, which might be noticeable and frustrating for very large projects.
• Vendor Lock-in
  Relying heavily on PostSharp-specific features might lead to challenges if there's a need to switch to a different AOP framework or if PostSharp's development ceases.

How to block websites that distract you ? Selfcontrol [Mac App review and tutorial]

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Aspect Oriented Programming with PostSharp | Pluralsight

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• Oregon School Cell Phone Ban: 'Engaged Students, Joyful Teachers'

  A combination of https://selfcontrolapp.com/ and Hammerspoon automation and you can lock yourself out of pretty much everything. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago

• Kiki – The accountability monster for people who are easily distracted

  Happy to see it still exists, and free https://selfcontrolapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago

• How do you fight YouTube addiction and procrastination? I'm struggling with it

  I have found that a useful method for getting distractions off my work laptop has been https://selfcontrolapp.com/ (if you're on mac). - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago

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Tracking PostSharp since Mar 2021.