Scirocco Take a Break for Windows

User Reviews

• Perfect balance of personalization and function

  WFNB11/13/2016

  Pros

  Allows one to select how often to break, how long and number of snoozes. Not annoyingly intrusive, but enough to prompt a break. Starts with Windows if selected.

  Cons

  None of consequence.

  Summary

  I have serious RSI and work on a computer a minimum of 8 hours per day. This timer has allowed me to customize for my needs and prompts me to take much needed breaks.

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• Simple and efficient

  semtheul12/27/2012

  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 time

  Summary

  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

  crosjn10/28/2012

  Pros

  Does what it says Multiple Options Tracks Usage

  Cons

  Annoying to access options Multiple steps required to set time

  Summary

  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!)

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• very very very good for what it does

  donnorvell8/16/2012

  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

  h15929138/9/2012

  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.

  Summary

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• Very simple to use computer timer.

  Rackmani2/20/2012

  Pros

  Simple to use. Aids not spending too long at your machine.

  Cons

  No help page although don't really need it.

  Summary

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• Perfect usability, saved my health

  cMurdoch1111/29/2012

  Pros

  Easy to use. As customizable as you want from a break timer. Can be configured to be unobtrusive. Will save your life (seriously, google "sitting is killing you")

  Cons

  There isn't a Mac version

  Summary

  The best of 9 timers I've downloaded and tried. Without a reminder I would lose track of time and sit for hours in front of computer. I developed shoulder problems because of it. With this program I am able to work 12 hours without problem. It also works great as a Pomodoro timer. The best way I found to configure is to do task tray balloon and sound notification (instead of the pop-up, which steals window focus and gets annoying). Then I have reminder set to same length as break time (3 minutes for me). I take a break without clicking take a break--I just get up and I can hear the chime when the reminder hits, then I just click the icon and restart time. This minimizes the number of pop-ups and clicks. It's easy and I've stuck to it for the past year. Can specify count time duration. Can set break duration. Can set reminders duration. Can set number of reminders. Can set sound on/off. Can specify sound (chimes work best for me). Can select from icon for task tray (traffic lights are best--are static during countdown then will flash when time up). Can specify alert--pop up or less obtrusive task tray bubble. Can set to auto start minimized when Windows starts up--or to not. All this for free! If for whatever reason Take A Break program doesn't work on my next OS, I would pay up to $50 for a similar program (anything more than that and I would write my own).

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• A pleasant to the ear invitation to take a break

  marelro12/31/2011

  Pros

  It is so geniously simple. And it gives me 3 3-minute chances to end the task I am working at. I spend so many hours on the computer and I do not care because I cannot feel that I am suffering from it during the work (but my neck, shoulders and lower back do!) This helps me to do something now for my health later (I have the suspicion that some of my migraine attacks have their origin int cramped muscles in the neck. PS: you can set the times as you like: I try to take a 10 minute break every hour.

  Cons

  Could not find any. Due to another user's warning I would not remove it from my system - in any case this is for keeping

  Summary

  Best free-of-charge tool I ever found

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• Ok timer app

  jmcmunn10/25/2011

  Pros

  simple, easy to use

  Cons

  not extremely flexible

  Summary

  would be nice to have a few more scheduling features available, but it does what it advertises and is not hard to understand.

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• Simple is all I need. EXCELLENT program!

  Oldilocks5/24/2011

  Pros

  Easy on PC resources; easy to use.

  Cons

  None at all.

  Summary

  Set mine to MAKE me take a 10-minute break every 50 minutes and I feel better already. I really hadn't realized how many hours on end I sit in front of my computer. Definite health and mind benefits to getting up and moving via a schedule. Very glad to have found this!

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