For those using Windows, the file is C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.
Whats this do?
Easily increases your productivity by factor of 2-4.
On a busy news day, probably closer to 8 for me. Seriously. It can be a real problem. I actually took the plunge and did this for a while, and now I feel I've built up enough self-control to not need it. The difference has been amazing.
Blocks HN by re-routing requests to HN to localhost
weird. i think he's gone. i guess we'll never find out what it does now.