I have a problem with procrastinating on websites such as youtube. The usual cures, like a browser extension or are way too gentle - I just end up disabling them.

An ideal solution would be impossible to disable, but I'll settle for super annoying to disable. In the very least it should require a restart, which I think is doable.

Since such a solution would be not unlike malware, and since root can undo anything root does, I'm looking for a kernel level solution. I'm willing to jump into light kernel development for this. What I need from you is:

• pointers on whether it's viable
• implementation ideas
• where to begin learning

Perhaps an approach would be to make a (regular userland) process unkillable, and then this process could do the blocking (e.g. by watching over hosts) and prevent unblocking (e.g. by preventing kernel switching). If there's a way to approximate immutable storage (leveraging the unkillable process), then it could overpower a reboot.

You need an arms length solution.

Any scheme that you try locally can fail. You need a disinterested third party.

You need a Rube Goldberg machine to poke you when you spend too much time on youtube.

iptables is a kernel level solution. But if you learn it well enough to write rules, you'll know it well enough to turn it off. Maybe you could get a managed router/switch/firewall, make rules to block the sites in question, and then have someone else set the PW on the device. Then you'd have to switch the network cables around to get past it.

One is too many and a 1000 never enough.

Just say "no".
Catch yourself there? just leave. Do better "next time"
Write it down on a 3x5 card. "Don't go to youtube"

Only you are uniquely qualified to put an end to a bad habit, or a Time Waster.
The effort to write a kernel patch/whatevs is likely considerably more than some self-discipline?
Try it for a day. Make a promise to "not do 'that'" for just 1 day.
Even discipline takes "practice".

FD7,GU8

Why do you think making a process unkillable from the kernel like I suggested wouldn't work?