By work computer, I mean one that you have very limited control over - can’t install anything, or add extensions, etc.

For example, there used to be a trick where you could run a Bing search of a YouTube URL and the results would include an embed of the video but with Bing’s own video player, and something about that made the ads not work. Which was great - ad free YouTube on a computer I can’t install ad blockers on!

That doesn’t seem to work anymore, but makes me wonder if there are things like that - just little roundabout tricks to make the experience less trash, on a rig where my options are limited to what’s already there.

Asking about any tricks, not just YouTube or ad related ones (but those too if you know any!).

Thanks all!

  • Björn@swg-empire.de
    16·
    2 days ago

    A second computer? Maybe a tablet or so. A holder for your phone.

    If all you want to do is watch or listen to stuff while you work that might be easier.

    • Murse@slrpnk.netOP
      5·
      2 days ago

      In my case, not an option. Healthcare setting, patient info is all over by our work stations, so having personal devices out will get you accused of a HIPAA violation in a hurry - even if it doesn’t have a camera, people get paranoid.

      People do still use personal devices at work, but I see em get burned for that semi-regularly.

      • NannerBanner@literature.cafe
        1·
        2 days ago

        Heh, humorous. The last time I was in the ER the doc was watching something about world of warcraft on youtube. I seriously debated slipping him a note about the various other ways to access it.

        • Murse@slrpnk.netOP
          2·
          2 days ago

          I’ve actually played on a private server alongside an anesthesiologist! We both grew up on Vanilla WoW and the earlier expansions, and both developed the same animosity to Blizzard for the finger they gave to that original target audience. The WoW itch is still real; but Blizzard won’t get another cent from me.

          • NannerBanner@literature.cafe
            1·
            2 days ago

            I’ve been desperately trying to get a friend who has played since vanilla to try a private server, but he just refuses on the basis that the progress made “isn’t real.” It’s incredibly frustrating.

            • Murse@slrpnk.netOP
              1·
              2 days ago

              You’ve probably tried this approach already, but just in case: “You don’t play videogames to make progress, and you don’t make progress by playing videogames. You play videogames to have fun and pass time, and those are driven by the experience brought on by the game’s content, not by the name of the game’s host. Also, fuck Blizzard.”