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Caffeine

CNET Editors' review

by: CNET staff on January 05, 2010

Caffeine keeps a computer from locking up or falling asleep by regularly simulating keystrokes. Like a strong cup of coffee, the program prevents your screensaver from kicking in without your having to disable the screensaver itself. It's handy for times when you don't want a screensaver but also don't want to change your desktop settings.

We enjoyed this program's interface, because it didn't try to overextend itself. Caffeine basically has only an on/off switch. It's pretty much impossible to be confused with such a simple layout. The program's description claims it simulated a keystroke once a minute in order to keep our computer from going to sleep. We had no way to prove or disprove whether the keystroke happened, but the program lived up to its billing: we left the computer idle for several minutes, which normally would have resulted in the screensaver kicking in, and nothing happened. Since that was what was supposed to happen (or not happen) it is obviously an effective way to keep your screen open. Caffeine is so simple and basic that it offers no features, special or otherwise. While this doesn't hurt its overall excellence, a timer or scheduler might be a smart inclusion. Regardless, this was a great way to keep a computer from lapsing into sleep.

Caffeine is freeware. It comes as a compressed file.

 
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Publisher's Description

From Zhorn Software:

If you have problems with your PC locking or going to sleep, Caffeine will keep it awake. It works by simulating a keypress once every 59 seconds, so your machine thinks you're still working at the keyboard, so won't lock the screen or activate the screensaver.

What's new in this version: Version 1.5 has added new command line options inactivefor,showdlg and apptoggle.

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All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    4.8 stars

    out of 5 votes

    • 5 star: 4
    • 4 star: 1
    • 3 star: 0
    • 2 star: 0
    • 1 star: 0
  • Current version:

    4.7 stars

    out of 3 votes

    • 5 star: 2
    • 4 star: 1
    • 3 star: 0
    • 2 star: 0
    • 1 star: 0
  • My rating:

    0 stars

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Results 1-3 of 3

  • 5.0 stars

    "Simple program that does what it says."

    October 25, 2011  |   By Captseadog

    Version: Caffeine 1.5

    Pros

    You don't have to move your mouse to keep your screen from sleeping. It does it behind the scenes so you are free to watch a movie etc without disturbance.

    Cons

    You have to remember to turn it off.

    Summary

    I have it on all my computers and smartphones.

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Stops unnecessary screen saver locks"

    March 9, 2011  |   By wsimonds

    Version: Caffeine 1.5

    Pros

    Works as advertised...simple...straight forward...resides in the tool tray so you can see it is on and working

    Cons

    Changing default settings requires a command line entry instead of having an option menu in the program

    Summary

    It would have gotten 5 stars except getting it to use a different key stroke emulation (which I need it to do) requires a manual start from the command window with a toggle. I wanted it to auto start and with a different key stroke than the default because one of my programs uses that key stroke. Problem solved when I wrote a batch file and dropped that in the Windows Startup folder. But now IT has blocked all batch files so I have to start it manually each time. It needs a "preferences" option within the program to configure things that you want to change permanently. Making the user have to manually start the program from the command line each time you boot up detracts from an otherwise great little utility.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "DOWNLOAD TO PREVENT WINDOWS FROM LOCKING EVERY MINUTE"

    December 26, 2010  |   By marysneatdesk

    Version: Caffeine 1.5

    Pros

    my vista was locking me out every 1 minute for some reason...and it annoyed me very much ! Then, I found Caffeine, and it was absolutely amazing! They also update this program from time to time too. Works quietly, icon on taskbar only .

    Cons

    NONE AT ALL

    Summary

    DOWNLOAD THIS

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