I decided that I do need YouTube sometimes so I decided to add a little fancy UI to my host file editing script. I’m calling it Crystal because I’m hoping it’ll help make my mind crystal clear :).



I moved the script into an Electron app that’s using the menubar package. I could have done this with some HTML and JS, but decided on just using React because I’m not a masochist.

To remove an entry you just click on the name, but you must first unlock it. In order to unlock it you have to type “This is for something active and not passive” into the input. After you’ve removed one entry it locks and you have to type it again.

I did this because I wanted to make sure that I’m consciously removing blocks from the list. I need Youtube for educational purposes, but it can also be very distracting. I don’t want to be able to just click a button to be able to turn this thing on and off. I need to be aware of what I’m doing, why I’m doing it, and make sure it’s what I want to do.

Will probably add some UI to update the schedule soon too. I’d like to have a couple hours on Saturday to catch up on my subs…especially Ricky Tinez!