30 Day Experiment

[nickburns]

In an attempt to make my life a little better, I am going to try a simple experiment.

My 30 day experiment:

1. No surfing the web.
2. No RSS feeds.
3. No Podcasts or MP3 player.
4. No Laptop(s) at home.
5. No Email at home.

Because I need to stay employed:

6. Work emails (Only during work hours of course).
7. Remote desktop into work, if night operator needs help.
8. Work on computer required to keep my job. (email, programming and reports only)

The other exception:

9. Post comments to my blog, concerning only the experiment. (During lunch break at work.)

Basically, I am going to make a sincere attempt to not use a computer, unless required at work. I am able to preform all essential tasks at my work without the internet. No more forum, no more surfing, no more wasting time. (At least for 30 days.)

I will start at midnight on November 24th, and go till Christmas morning. Hopefully I will have my XO laptop (http://www.flippinsweetdude.com/xo-laptop/) by then.

Visit my blog here (http://www.flippinsweetdude.com/blog/).

Wish me luck, and see you all on the other side....

[23meg]

Good luck; hope it works for you. I'm planning to do something similar soon.

[-grubby]

if I tried that I wouldn't last a day

[Kingsley]

Good luck with that. I'll be reading your blog.

[RebounD11]

If I could do it so can you :D

[nickburns]

if I tried that I wouldn't last a day

This is exactly why I am doing this. I need to clean / organize / purify / sharpen / strengthen myself. I am sure it will be tough, but when it is all over, I hope to be a better person from my experience.

[Xavieran]

It'll be tough man but yeah anythings possible!

Good Luck and I too will put your blog on one of my first things to look at list.

[-grubby]

This is exactly why I am doing this. I need to clean / organize / purify / sharpen / strengthen myself. I am sure it will be tough, but when it is all over, I hope to be a better person from my experience.

I know I spend too much time on the computer. I'll try spending a few hours or so a day reading or something else

[fuscia]

a hair shirt might come in handy.

[blithen]

if I tried that I wouldn't last a day

Same here.

[Billy_McBong]

i would have so much free time on my hands if i did that
are you gonna take up some new hobbies or something?

[nickburns]

I plan on:

1. Getting through a bunch of books in my queue.

2. Spending quality time with the Family

3. Actually use a paper and pencil

4. Exercise.

5. Gain a social skill or two. ( Let's be realistic, this will not happen)

[mysticrider92]

I should probably try this too... Maybe I will just set a personal limit to my computer usage and see if that doesn't help some (I do way too much wasted internet browsing)...

Good luck, I will be interested to see how you do.

[nickburns]

Well, it's bedtime. Need to shut down for the last time.


See you all on the other side.....

[nickburns]

Well, I'm back. Had a good time with out the laptop.

Read about my experience on my web page at

my blog (http://www.flippinsweetdude.com/blog/)

[-grubby]

welcome back, a lot has happened this month. you may notice the new thanks feature (look next to the quote button)

[YourSurrogateGod]

I remember I forgot the power cord for my laptop (my compilers, my source code, etc.) when I went to visit someone. The battery died and I was bored out of my mind. I resorted to driving to the closest bookstore and buying a book in order to not keel over from pure boredom.

TV is a brain-wasting device in my opinion :) (don't get me started on 'reality-tv'.) I'd much rather read a book :) .

[fatality_uk]

lol

Basically, I am going to make a sincere attempt to not use a computer
Except for probally blogging every day.

The work items yes, but grab a pen, some paper, write down your experience and then post it post 30 days!

[allforcarrie]

lol

Except for probally blogging every day.

The work items yes, but grab a pen, some paper, write down your experience and then post it post 30 days!

yea i'm going to have to say that blogging is cheating.

[nickburns]

Perhaps if either of the last two replies would / could read my blog. I decided not to blog daily. In fact I really only did the first couple days and then when it was all over.

[Lostincyberspace]

I Like your post with the mind games it took me about ten minutes to figure out how to solve them and a little more to actually do it.

1. 45

I will leave the rest for others

[nickburns]

I thought it was 45 too, but it is much less than that. See the comments below the questions (on the blog page), from my good friend Aaron.