Jiwon's Alcove

Adult Survival #2: Offline Tools > Desktop Web Apps > Web Browser > Mobile Apps

If you're as prone to addictions as I am, then you've certainly spent many days and nights doomscrolling or going on an online research spree.

The second survival strategy is to follow the flowchart: offline tools > online desktop apps > web browser > mobile apps.

Mobile apps are the worst since they are meticulously designed to maximize eyeball hours and minimize barrier to spending money. Only use if necessary for survival.

Web browsers promote a bit more intentionality, but it is still very easy to fall into a rabbit hole of Youtube binges or online research sprees. Minimize time spent on a general-purpose web browser at all costs. Do NOT open up a web browser first thing in the morning.

I even uninstall my web browser during long focus sessions, then reinstall later. This is easy on Linux, but not on Windows or macOS.

Desktop wrappers for web apps are a bit better, since they do not allow you to open up any website instantly. Here are some examples:

• Use a desktop calendar app instead of Google Calendar.
• Use a text file or a locally stored word document instead of Google Sheets or Microsoft Office Online.
• Use Todoist Desktop or Ticktick Desktop for task management.
• Use Discord app instead of discord.com; use Slack app instead of slack.com; etc.
• Use GitHub Desktop instead of github.com.
• Use a desktop email client instead of web Gmail.

If a web app doesn't have a pre-existing desktop wrapper, then you can create one using tools like Webapp Manager or WebCatalog. Web apps created in this manner are still a web browser under the hood, but they hide UI elements that make it super easy to jump to any website.

Entirely offline alternatives are even better than desktop apps that still need some internet connection. These apps allow me to go completely offline. Here are some suggestions:

• Download Wikipedia (roughly 100Gb) using Kiwix.
• Download programming language documentations using Zeal.
• Download reading materials then send it to an e-reader or print them out.
• Download music locally; you can buy DRM-free music from Bandcamp or Amazon Digital Music.
• Write LaTeX documents locally using Overleaf Git integration and a desktop editor.
• Develop software locally when possible.
• Buy physical copies of reference books.
• Learn how to read man pages and consider using tldr.sh.