I take it back…
A couple of posts ago, I partially retracted my feelings on the effects of computer-mediated distractions in light of greater research (finally got that link too). I’ve come to a point where I can’t deny the fact that the news scrolling by on my Google Desktop 2.0 sidebar, the urge to peak at e-mail, the urge to start a chat, the need to check a random fact I’m wondering about on the web (or do ALL of these at the same time) is still putting a crimp in productivity.
And there is at least one study on the ill effects of multitasking to back it up.
And yet, with Expose on a Mac, multiple desktops on Linux, and well, whatever on Windows, our operating systems just make it easier to fall into the trap.
If anyone is interested in writing a multi-platform “lock” on multitasking (something to make it harder to switch applications or fire up the web browser), my switch to paperless could desperately use it.
Edit
One way that appears to work fairly well in Windows is to do an “end process” on explorer (start explorer again by using “new task” and typing in “explorer”).
I’m thinking in KDE, one could just collapse the panel (not the same as quitting it altogether, but perhaps enough to put one in the mental mode of not multitasking).
And for OSX, it looks as though it’s also possible to quit the Finder.
While these solutions are by no means perfect, it may be enough to just remove initial temptation. It seems as though putting the mind in a context of concentration (like you might when sitting in a comfortable chair with an engaging book) may be possible…perhaps there are additional technological answers.