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This extremely basic but free program helps you avoid repetitive-stress injuries at work by periodically reminding you to take a break. The tiny utility sits in your system tray and pops up a message box or flashes when it's time for you to step away from your computer. You also can set the program to remind you via one of the included sounds or your own WAV files. Although the easily configured interface can't be spruced up with skins or different color schemes, you can at least choose from several different system-tray icons. You simply enter the amount of time before your next break, then press Play. Once the time expires and you begin your break, you can view another timer that tells you how long before you need to get back to work. When you go back to work, the program will automatically begin ticking down to your next break. Though it doesn't do anything particularly special or boast any exciting bonus features, Scirocco Take a Break can be useful to anyone who regulary toils at a computer terminal.Publisher's Description
From Scirocco:
In today's world, we sit without moving for long hours in front of our computer screens. We hurt our eyes, shoulders, backs, and wrists. A short break every once in a while can reduce repetitive-stress injuries associated with computer usage. This free utility, which rests in the system tray, reminds us when to take a break, and it does so in style.
Some features include: complete customization of work, snooze and break times; visual and/or audio notifications; choice of displaying timer, starting screen saver or locking the workstation when on break; variety of tray icons for more discretion at work; statistics on time spent working, break time, total time and averages per hour; motivational pie-chart.
What's new in this version:
- Track how your time is spent with the new statistics form. View time spent working, on break as well as averages per hour and total time. Display includes a motivational pie-chart.
- Additional static and dynamic tray icons to choose from
- Timer automatically resets when computer comes out of standby or hibernation.
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All versions:
4.4 starsout of 36 votes
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Current version:
4.5 starsout of 4 votes
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My rating:
Write review
Results 1-4 of 4
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"Simple and efficient"
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 3.1
Pros
Easy settings for breaks/notifications
Conveniently minimizes to the task tray
Calculates stats over the working session (breaks vs working)Cons
Would like more graphs for stats
More options to save my user profile and see my working patterns over long periods of timeSummary
Well, I needed an app to help me make regular breaks when working at my computer. I got it. No extra charges, no extra functionality. Of course, it's not fancy, but it's a fine little tool that does just what it's meant to do and doesn't cost you anything. Give it a try!
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"Works but clunky"
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 3.1
Pros
Does what it says
Multiple Options
Tracks UsageCons
Annoying to access options
Multiple steps required to set timeSummary
We use this to make sure our two kids share the computer. You can set the amount of time on the timer via "Options". You can also set how it behaves (just a reminder, lock the screen, etc...) Wish it were quicker to set the timer value/options. But otherwise, I installed on Win7 64bit - it works fine and does what it says. Easy enough now to force the kids to share time. :)
(It's not mommy or daddy, it's the computer saying it's time to share!) -
"very very very good for what it does"
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 3.1
Pros
works for me. saves me from falling down after a couple house work session
Cons
I don not have any cons
Summary
been using it for years and will continue using it
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"Excellent software"
Version: Scirocco Take a Break 3.1
Pros
I have been using this software for a few years now and it has improved my health. The new statistics form makes it even better. I can keep track of my work/break ratio and try to improve it over time. Thanks again Scirocco for this great utility.
Cons
None that I can think of.
Results 1-4 of 4
