Deleting Mac browsers
April 2, 2006 9:38 PM   Subscribe

I want to (sometimes) delete all browsers on my Mac. But sometimes, I want them back. Help me.

During the weekdays, I want to completely kill my browser so I am not tempted to start browsing online. I've tried taking it off my dock, removing it from my Quicksilver catalog, but I will eventually break down and just launch it Old Skool (via the Finder, gasp!). So I want to delete all browsers from off my computer during the weekdays. Because if there's some way to switch it back on, I'll switch it one. So I want to delete it.

But I want it back on the weekends. I need to give myself a time to relax and check out ask.mefi for all your wisdom.

Part one: can I safely delete Safari from off my computer? If so, can I re-install it without reinstalling the whole OS?

Part two: Is there another non-overcomable (except when I'm at home on weekends) way to block the web (not email) on my laptop?
posted by terceiro to Computers & Internet (10 answers total)
 
If you have someone else in your household who you could trust you could set up a "weekday" profile and a "weekend" profile. The weekday profile would have no browser available to it. And on Friday, your trusted person could log you into the weekend profile (you wouldn't know that password).
posted by visual mechanic at 9:45 PM on April 2, 2006


You mentioned using a laptop -- can I assume you are using a wireless router / access point?

Many routers allow you to set access times (number of hours, days of the week, etc.) when the internet will be available for access. Check the config screen (which can be set via your browser) for these settings.
posted by jca at 9:56 PM on April 2, 2006


I can't help but think that there must be parental control programs that do exactly this, but I'm not a mac user and don't know exactly where to look.
posted by JMOZ at 10:35 PM on April 2, 2006


Can you run your browsers off a jump drive (with all of your bookmarks and preferences on there as well)? That way, if you can just keep your hands off the jump drive, you'll be ok (this one may also require an accomplice).
posted by jmgorman at 11:04 PM on April 2, 2006


1. Set up a cronjob that (as root) does "chmod 0 /path/to/safari/binary" on sunday night and "chmod 755 /path/to/safari/binary" on friday afternoon. There's no need to actually remove the files if they are not accessible.

2. Change the root password and throw away the new one. Use only the normal user account in your day to day activities.
posted by Rhomboid at 11:05 PM on April 2, 2006


Last time I checked Safari was not available as a separate download, so you'd have to rely on install disks to get it back (and I'm not sure how easy that is).

Other than that, if you create a barrier yourself (any kind) you of course will be able to revert it as soon as your urges get the better of you. Maybe you should talk to your ISP.
posted by beno at 11:42 PM on April 2, 2006


Response by poster: Here's my solution, based on WCityMike's suggestion:

1. Create a zip archive (via the contextual menu) of Safari
2. Copy safari.zip to external HD
3. Delete Safari.app off my computer
4. When in need of web, use another computer

I still have my email and my (only) six or so RSS feeds. I have a browser built into my RSS reader as well as DEVONthink, but they are too much of a hassle for procrastinative, addictive web browsing.

Yes, self control would be great. But my work trumps my idealism every day. So, it's off to work I go.
posted by terceiro at 1:29 AM on April 3, 2006


Best answer: Change the network preferences to use a non-existent proxy (disabling all browsers). Click the Network Preferences lock to require admin access to edit it.

Set up a separate admin account on your system and make your own into a non-admin. Give the admin password to someone else.
posted by cillit bang at 2:16 AM on April 3, 2006


Could it be easier to remove the source of Internet connection? modem/router or even just the ethernet cable? to make it harder to access, give it to someone far away, or lock it in a safe deposit box? I dunno. Learn self control.
posted by Sonic_Molson at 4:04 AM on April 3, 2006


You could always copy all your browsers, their preferences and bookmarks, etc. to a CD-R and mail it to yourself parcel post every Monday. When it arrives on Thursday, reinstall. But travosurus nails it. Just step away from the web browser. It's easy to break web addiction. I do it a hundred times a week.
posted by fourcheesemac at 9:17 AM on April 3, 2006


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